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Paul B. Becker, 67 Sep 3, 2022 26 min ago 0 Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Paul B. Becker, 67, of Yakima died Wednesday, Aug. 31, at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Yakima.Arrangements are by Brookside Funeral Home and Crematory, Moxee, 509-457-1232. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save × Add your entry Posting As Emoticons [smile] [beam] [wink] [sad] [cool] [innocent] [rolleyes] [whistling] [lol] [huh] [tongue] [love] [sleeping] [yawn] [unsure] [angry] [blink] [crying] [ohmy] [scared] [sleep] [sneaky] [tongue_smile] [thumbdown] [thumbup] [censored] [happybirthday] [ban] [spam] [offtopic] [batman] [ninja] [pirate] [alien] Comment Text CAPTCHA × Your entry has been submitted. Guest × Report ×Reported ×There was a problem reporting this. × Watch the guestbook. Stop watching this guestbook. Watch this discussion Get an email notification whenever someone signs the guestbook. Notifications from this guestbook will end. (0) entries Sign the guestbook Log in Add your entry Submit An ObituaryFuneral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death. Go to form LOCAL FLORISTS John Gasperetti's Floral Design Findery Floral Jenny's Floral & Gifts Blossom Shop Flrsts Amy's Wapato Florist FUNERAL HOMES AND SERVICES Brookside Funeral Home Colonial Funeral Home Keith & Keith Funeral Home Langevin - El Paraíso Funeral Home Merritt Funeral Home Midstate Monuments Prosser Funeral Home Rainier Memorial Shaw & Sons Funeral Home Smith Funeral Homes & Crematory Steward & Williams Tribute & Cremation Center Terrace Heights Memorial Park Valley Hills Funeral Home West Hills Memorial Park
Submit An ObituaryFuneral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death. Go to form | https://www.yakimaherald.com/obituaries/death_notices/paul-b-becker-67/article_c128118a-2bbf-11ed-aa2b-93c708ee21e2.html | 2022-09-04T05:27:46Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/obituaries/death_notices/paul-b-becker-67/article_c128118a-2bbf-11ed-aa2b-93c708ee21e2.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Terry N. Dalrymple, 67 Sep 3, 2022 26 min ago 0 Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Terry N. Dalrymple, 67, of Yakima died Thursday, Sept. 1, at Cottage in the Meadow, Yakima.Arrangements are by Brookside Funeral Home and Crematory, Moxee, 509-457-1232. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save × Add your entry Posting As Emoticons [smile] [beam] [wink] [sad] [cool] [innocent] [rolleyes] [whistling] [lol] [huh] [tongue] [love] [sleeping] [yawn] [unsure] [angry] [blink] [crying] [ohmy] [scared] [sleep] [sneaky] [tongue_smile] [thumbdown] [thumbup] [censored] [happybirthday] [ban] [spam] [offtopic] [batman] [ninja] [pirate] [alien] Comment Text CAPTCHA × Your entry has been submitted. Guest × Report ×Reported ×There was a problem reporting this. × Watch the guestbook. Stop watching this guestbook. Watch this discussion Get an email notification whenever someone signs the guestbook. Notifications from this guestbook will end. (0) entries Sign the guestbook Log in Add your entry Submit An ObituaryFuneral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death. Go to form LOCAL FLORISTS John Gasperetti's Floral Design Findery Floral Jenny's Floral & Gifts Blossom Shop Flrsts Amy's Wapato Florist FUNERAL HOMES AND SERVICES Brookside Funeral Home Colonial Funeral Home Keith & Keith Funeral Home Langevin - El Paraíso Funeral Home Merritt Funeral Home Midstate Monuments Prosser Funeral Home Rainier Memorial Shaw & Sons Funeral Home Smith Funeral Homes & Crematory Steward & Williams Tribute & Cremation Center Terrace Heights Memorial Park Valley Hills Funeral Home West Hills Memorial Park
Submit An ObituaryFuneral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death. Go to form | https://www.yakimaherald.com/obituaries/death_notices/terry-n-dalrymple-67/article_eb910238-2bbf-11ed-a4fb-87da3698e0ef.html | 2022-09-04T05:27:52Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/obituaries/death_notices/terry-n-dalrymple-67/article_eb910238-2bbf-11ed-a4fb-87da3698e0ef.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Business minister accused of 'shifty' responses around Scottish Government's botched Dalzell steelworks intervention
Business minister Ivan McKee has been accused of being “shifty” due to failing to answer why it was necessary for the Scottish Government to briefly own a Lanarkshire steelworks.
The Scottish Government intervened in the sale of the Dalzell and Clydebridge steelworks from Tata Steel to the conglomerate, Liberty Steel, ultimately owned by steel magnate Sanjeev Gupta.
To facilitate the deal, the Government bought the site for £1 and immediately sold it to Mr Gupta’s company in a ‘back-to-back’ sale.
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However, last year, Mr McKee informed MSPs the deal may have broken state aid rules, which could leave the Government with a multi-million pound environmental clean-up bill.
This could happen if current owners, GFG Alliance, collapse, leaving the cost of clean-up to be picked up by the taxpayer rather than the former owners, Tata Steel.
It is this clause that is understood to have potentially broken state aid rules.
Asked by the Scottish Liberal Democrats why it was necessary for the Government to take on full ownership of the site as part of the back-to-back sale, Mr McKee failed to provide clear reasons.
He said: “The three parties to the sale and purchase of the Lanarkshire steelworks on 2016 – Tata Steel, Liberty House and the Scottish Government – were all aligned in agreeing a transaction that secured the earliest realisation of the commercial and wider economic benefits of the deal, and the selected structure was the best available means to deliver this.”
Willie Rennie, economy spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, said ministers would be “biting my arm off” to say the Government was not on the hook for a significant bill if it was true.
He said: “We have known for some time that the Scottish Government was briefly the legal owners of the Dalzell steel works, but shifty SNP ministers are still unable to give a straight answer about why this was necessary.
“If ministers have promised to protect Tata from the costs of cleaning up the Dalzell site, then taxpayers could be on the hook for tens of millions of pounds.
“If this is not the case, then you would think ministers would be biting my arm off to tell me.
“Fundamentally the problem here is an untrustworthy SNP Government, which prefers to operate in the shadows than tell the truth about the deals they sign with taxpayers’ money.
“Sooner or later these dealings are going to be dragged into the light. The choice for the SNP is whether this process is swift and transparent or slow and painful.
“Ministers should come to Parliament and spell out just what benefits there were to all parties involved from the Scottish Government taking on ownership of the steelworks.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government acted at pace in 2016 to support a transaction involving Tata Steel and Liberty House to ensure steel communities in Scotland had a future.
“This saved the Dalzell and Clydebridge steel works, rescued more than 100 jobs and retained steel plate production in Scotland.
“Were any future environmental liabilities to exist in respect of the Lanarkshire steel plants, the responsibility and associated costs would lie with the site owner or developer of the land.”
The sixth and final episode of the brand new limited series podcast, How to be an independent country: Scotland’s Choices, is out now.
It is available wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article. | https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/business-minister-accused-of-shifty-responses-around-scottish-governments-botched-dalzell-steelworks-intervention-3829686 | 2022-09-04T05:28:02Z | scotsman.com | control | https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/business-minister-accused-of-shifty-responses-around-scottish-governments-botched-dalzell-steelworks-intervention-3829686 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Nicola Sturgeon vows cost-of-living support will be ‘front and centre’ of Programme for Government
Support to tackle the cost-of-living crisis will be “front and centre” of the Scottish Government’s plans for the next year, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
The First Minister will lay out her government’s legislative agenda for the year ahead when Holyrood returns on Tuesday and the Programme for Government will be published.
The announcements come during a period of high anxiety for Scots as energy bills and household costs are on the rise.
But the First Minister also hit out at the UK Government, which she claimed was in “hibernation” as a result of the ongoing Tory leadership contest, with the winner due to be announced on Monday before taking office the following afternoon.
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“On Tuesday, the Scottish Government will publish its Programme for Government for the year ahead, and tackling the cost crisis will be front and centre of our plans,” Ms Sturgeon said in a statement.
“The steps we outline this week will build on the actions we have already taken with the limited powers of the Scottish Parliament to support household budgets, such as the Scottish Child Payment, the Carers Allowance Supplement and the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.”
She added: “However, the key levers in this crisis remain in the hands of the Tories at Westminster – a Government which has been in hibernation over the summer as the Tory faithful choose who will be the fourth prime minister in six years.
“Their inaction has caused huge anxiety for families and huge uncertainty for businesses. It has been a dereliction of duty which people will neither forgive nor forget.
“At this most crucial of times, we are in the situation of announcing our plans for the year ahead in an unprecedented cloud of Westminster uncertainty.
“We don’t know if and when an emergency budget may happen, whether Scotland’s block grant is going to be cut this year, or what other measures they may introduce – all of which could fundamentally affect our plans.”
The First Minister will seek to “work constructively” with the next prime minister, despite having traded attacks with both Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak throughout the campaign.
She also claimed an independent Scotland could have passed an emergency budget, adding: “Instead we are left wrestling with meeting the challenges of fair pay, household hardship and rising costs for public services without the tools we need to tackle them.”
On Saturday, the Scottish Conservatives said the First Minister’s administration had failed to deliver on at least 26 policy pledges from last year’s Programme for Government.
The Tories said the “most glaring failures” included protecting police funding, provide free school meals for all primary school pupils and treatment standards to tackle drug deaths.
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour MSPs are urging the Scottish Government to drop the “summer of empty rhetoric” by introducing emergency legislation which tackles the cost-of-living crisis.
Neil Bibby, the party’s business spokesperson, is urging parliamentarians to back a Cost-Of-Living Act.
It comes as inflation hits 10.1% and is expected to soar further. Meanwhile, the energy price cap has risen by 80% to £3,549.
The party intends to move a motion calling for parliamentary time to be set aside in the first week to introduce the emergency policy.
It would see a temporary rent freeze to protect tenants from rising prices and ban winter evictions to limit homelessness.
Labour also proposes changes to laws on debt, including fairer rules on earnings arrestment and bankruptcy fees.
Mr Bibby, Scottish Labour business spokesperson, said: “After a long summer of empty rhetoric from the SNP, this is a chance to take real action.
“We cannot ask people struggling to put food on the table to listen to a talking shop of empty ministerial statements and debates that go in circles.
“Scots expect their Parliament’s to be focused on the issues that matter and their governments to use every power they have – but both the SNP and the Tories are asleep at the wheel.
“We have a moral duty to act – every part must back these plans to use the powers we have here in Holyrood to freeze rent, ban winter evictions, and offer a lifeline to those snowed under with debt.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said it remained the case “that most of the key policy levers are held by the UK Government, which needs to take urgent action.”
“We recognise the enormous pressures households are facing, which is why the First Minister has committed to an emergency budget review to assess all opportunities to target additional resources and respond to those pressures,” the spokesman said.
“Our Programme for Government next week will set out the Scottish Government’s priorities, including for the immediate challenges around the cost crisis.
“We have allocated almost £3 billion in this financial year that will contribute towards mitigating the increased costs crisis, including the provision of support unique to Scotland, such as the Scottish Child Payment.”
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article. | https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-vows-cost-of-living-support-will-be-front-and-centre-of-programme-for-government-3830442 | 2022-09-04T05:28:15Z | scotsman.com | control | https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-vows-cost-of-living-support-will-be-front-and-centre-of-programme-for-government-3830442 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s defense came up with two second-half safeties, and the Hawkeyes opened the season with a 7-3 win over South Dakota State on Saturday. Jack Campbell’s tackle of Isaiah Davis in the end zone in the third quarter was the first safety, then Joe Evans sacked quarterback Mark Gronowski in the fourth quarter for the second. Iowa finished with 166 yards of offense, while South Dakota State had 120. The two teams combined for more punts (21) than first downs (16). Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras completed 11 of 25 passes for 109 yards. Gronowski was 10 of 26 passing for 87 yards.
Second-half safeties lead Iowa past South Dakota State 7-3 in Hawks’ tight season opener
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Va. Tech women throttle No. 15-ranked Duke behind Kitley
September 11 2022 05:25 am
Va. Tech women throttle No. 15-ranked Duke behind Kitley
September 11 2022 05:25 am | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/sports/second-half-safeties-lead-iowa-past-south-dakota-state-7-3-in-hawks-tight-season-opener/ | 2022-09-04T05:35:44Z | siouxlandproud.com | control | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/sports/second-half-safeties-lead-iowa-past-south-dakota-state-7-3-in-hawks-tight-season-opener/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Chatham may have a mixed repuation among outsiders but one thing its increasingly becoming known for is its sense of diversity. Dolce B is thought to be one of the first barbershops catering specifically for afro-textured hair in the area when it opened more than a decade ago.
It was relatively busy when I arrived at around 12.30pm on a Thursday (September 1). The owner Khalil, who did not want to disclose his surname for safety reasons, was working on a regular customer who he has known for years. For more stories for Kent's minority stories, subscribe to Untold Stories here.
I felt very welcomed, and sat down on the sofa not far from customers waiting for their turn in the chair, all of them three occupied. The shop was very bright and tidy, with music playing in the background - I loved the soothing serenity of the space where people seemed to feel comfortable, chatting to each other and to the staff.
READ MORE: How the hairdressing industry is catching-up for those with Afro hair in Kent
Khalil, who lives in Maidstone, set up his business in Chatham to address the growing demand in the area as the Black community continues to grow with many leaving London to settle here. “We have new customers every now and then, and they always say they moved from London,” he told me. “It's an easier lifestyle. It's cheaper to live here and the sense of community contributes as well.”
He added: “When I moved here, there were three barbershops and I just thought I should do something slightly different.” When asked about what makes his business unique, he said: “The hairstyles, and approach to the business, the customer service and being available.”
I spent an hour observing the interactions between him and his customers, and Khalil has built some very strong relationships with some exclusively coming to his barber shop because they trust his work. As well as having his own brand of products for hair and beard, he was able to recommend other brands and advise people when needed.
“Open it, put two drops and rub it in your beard,” he told one man who asked for help. Another needed a balm to moisturise his hair, and the barber didn’t think twice before giving him a product.
The former model, who lived in Florence after moving from Nigeria when he was around 12, says his secret to building such a successful business is “consistency”, adding, while a lady sat on the chair, ready for her hair to be taken care of,: “The secret to me is actually not much. Knowing what each customer wants, making sure that’s what they get. I think I’ve been able to make sure that customers are happy consistently.”
While the majority of the customers were Black, from children and their mums, to young adults and teenagers, Khalil assured me that anyone from any ethnicity would be welcomed in his shop. With years of experience, he said he can cut Caucasian hair as well as Afro-textured hair.
“Afro hair needs more attention. You need to know it, you cannot just start doing it because you can just mess it up,” he said. “You need to learn the techniques.”
The team consists of four people, although there were three at the time I was there. Khalil said they all trained to deal with any type of hair and he hopes to expand his team to meet the growing demand.
“I would like to open a new branch in Maidstone and keep the standard. There’s a growing Black community there too,” he said.
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- Canterbury ex-Gurkha soldier hopes to become world's first double above-the-knee amputee to climb Everest | https://www.kentlive.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/sense-community-discovered-during-one-7541259 | 2022-09-04T05:36:04Z | kentlive.news | control | https://www.kentlive.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/sense-community-discovered-during-one-7541259 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (Presbyterian SID) – Wringing in a brand-new season on Saturday night in a visiting capacity, the Presbyterian College football team was felled by the Governors of Austin Peay in Clarksville, Tenn. during Week 1 of the campaign, taking a 63-0 defeat when the final horn sounded.
The Blue Hose will turn their attention to their first bout on their own turf next weekend, welcoming Virginia University of Lynchburg to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Bailey Memorial Stadium on Sept. 10. Kickoff in Clinton is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+.
FINAL SCORE: Austin Peay 63, Presbyterian 0
RECORDS: Presbyterian (0-1), Austin Peay (1-1)
LOCATION: Fortera Stadium (Clarksville, Tenn.)
OPENING KICK:
– Starting off with a clean slate under the new regime of head coach Steve Englehart, a collection of new faces ruled the roost statistically for Presbyterian, guided by redshirt-junior transfer QB Nate Hayden who tossed for 130 yards through the air on Saturday.
– Completing 43% of his 21 attempts, Hayden connected twice to returning leader Jalen Jones for 39 yards, adding 84 extra to the PC freshman duo of Dominic Kibby and Shawn Lodge. Additionally, the first-time starter never turned the ball over to the APSU defense while playing the entire outing.
– Sophomore linebacker Alex Herriott – a preseason all-Pioneer Football League first teamer – tallied a career-best 11 tackles against the Governors (seven of them in solo form), accounting for one of the team’s three sacks on the night.
– Returning preseason all-PFL running back Delvecchio Powell II carried for 38 yards out of the backfield, backed up by 29 more combined from JB Seay and Quante Jennings.
– Defensive back James Crim ended the contest as another Blue Hose member to secure a new career-high in tackles, gathering nine altogether. Seven different white jerseys finished the game with at least one tackle for a loss.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
– Following Herriott’s fourth career sack in the game’s opening drive, Hayden made an immediate impact under center by lofting a 34-yard completion to Jones on the first offensive play under Englehart’s watch. Advancing to the APSU 34-yard line, Presbyterian ultimately turned the ball over on downs.
– The Governors trudged along for six touchdowns in the opening half on Saturday, although it wasn’t without some bright spots for the Blue Hose. In the second period, Hayden found Lodge for the freshman’s first snag on a 19-yard gain to convert a 3rd-down scenario. Later in the quarter, redshirt-sophomore Harrison Kennedy wrestled down Austin Peay quarterback Mike DiLiello for a seven-yard deduction and his first PC sack.
– After another Hayden-to-Lodge sync for 15 yards in the third frame, the Blue Hose defense forced a failed 4th-down conversion attempt at the 6:32 stamp, leaving the avenue for Powell to bust a game-long 15-yard burst on the next snap.
– David Kinard and Anthony Dye, PC’s starting defensive tackles, conjoined for the team’s third sack of the contest in the fourth quarter before Kibby sprinted towards his first college catch on the next drive that went for a 50-yard gulp.
UP NEXT:
Commencing the 20th season of Presbyterian football with Bailey Memorial as the program’s home location, the Blue Hose will go head-to-head with Virginia University of Lynchburg for Scotsman Club Day and First Responders Day on Sept. 10.
ESPN+ will be streaming PC’s home opener next weekend, as will be the case in all five of the team’s Bailey Memorial dates this fall. | https://www.wspa.com/college-football/presbyterian-struggles-in-season-opening-loss-at-austin-peay-63-0/ | 2022-09-04T05:38:21Z | wspa.com | control | https://www.wspa.com/college-football/presbyterian-struggles-in-season-opening-loss-at-austin-peay-63-0/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
NEW ORLEANS, La. (WTXL) — You know the old saying, the view is better from the top? Well, in New Orleans, it is. 34 stories on top, to be exact.
"Nearly the first word that comes out of everybody's mouth is wow," said David Rand, the general manager of Vue Orleans. "It's the wow factor."
34 stories, high above the city of New Orleans, sits the pinnacle of Vue Orleans, the only 360 degree observation deck in the city.
"It's at the end of the experience, it's like the capstone and the wow factor is absolutely incredible."
Vue Orleans is the city's first attraction since COVID-19, housed in what was once the iconic World Trace Center.
"After Katrina, it was mothballed until we reopened it again two years ago," he said of the building, which now is home to Vue Orleans and the Four Seasons hotel and residences. "Everybody in this city tells a story of this building."
Stories of the city are what you'll find in Vue Orleans.
"You're able to point at the wall, and bring up very pieces in English, Spanish, and French, so you can learn about the city of New Orleans."
Stories that share the city's culture and it's delicious food, recap it's history, and where you can hear it's music , and it's all shared interactively.
"We've built such an incredible facility with historical accuracy," said Rand. "It is a wonderful addition to the city, and a way we can teach future generations and visitors about what makes up the beautiful city of New Orleans."
Vue Orleans was a seven year project, and it's now been open six months. | https://www.wtxl.com/sports/the-vue-is-better-from-the-top-in-new-orleans | 2022-09-04T05:59:47Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/sports/the-vue-is-better-from-the-top-in-new-orleans | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
IMPRISONED. OFFENDERS MALE NOMBER.—District Jutiiire Offlcae: 1S (1 ............. Were imprison, In i tt l .l .... (Ho, Males: H1-4 iHiiiiiis,\n(Uhil) DtO, H i'..1 ,) ii\nII ! II II t: ii '.. (13113 KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Fire officials are investigating what started a fire at a Kalamazoo business on Saturday.
The fire broke out at 8:17 p.m. on East Cork Street. Officers say smoke and flames were seen from the back of the building.
Officers were able to control the fire within 10 minutes and no injuries were reported.
The business was unoccupied during the fire.
If you have any information on the fire, you're asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 269-488-8911 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100. | https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/fire-breaks-out-at-kalamazoo-business | 2022-09-04T06:04:21Z | fox17online.com | control | https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/fire-breaks-out-at-kalamazoo-business | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
An international scholar and former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Professor Chidi Odinkalu, speaks to DARE ADEKANMBI on what the focus of election campaign should be for the candidates and the electorate, impeaches the independence of INEC, among other issues.
By September 28, it will be official for political parties to go on the streets and seek votes from the electorate. As someone who has been observing politics in the country and at one time a part of it, what do you think politicians should do differently this time in terms of unfolding their plans?
I can’t swear that I have been part of Nigerian politics, mind you. I don’t belong to a political party. I am not in PDP or APC or ADC or Labour Party or any other party. As a Nigerian, I followed electoral politics in Nigeria since at least the Constituent Assembly elections in 1977 and indeed the Local Government elections in 1976, as far as my consciousness goes.
I think the one thing that has defined Nigerian politics and campaigns in the last decade has been an absence of issue-based politics. In 2015, Goodluck Jonathan, who was in his second term, promised Nigerians ‘transformation’ and General Muhammadu Buhari promised ‘change.’ Nobody asked either of them what any of those concepts meant. So, people queued up ultimately behind Buhari who promised ‘change’ at over 70 years of age; change that he was not able to implement when he was in his 40s. Now that Buhari has proved an absolute disaster because there is no other way to describe him, people are now wondering how they got themselves into the nonsense that is happening in the country.
In 2019, he promised to take Nigerians to the ‘next level’. Did Nigerians ask him and his party ‘next level to what?’ Next level is not a destination; it could be for worse or for better. But nobody asked if it was for better or worse. Change can be for worse or for better. People just accepted an swallowed it and we are where we are today.
What I would like to see done differently this time is that citizens should be prepared to ask questions from any of the leading candidates and get to the nitty-gritty of what exactly they are selling.
You want Nigerians to be critical in their engagements with the candidates and the parties when they come asking for their votes. But most of these Nigerians are poor and are preoccupied with how to survive rather than being critical of the political class.
That surely does not mean that poor people are stupid. Nigerians are not necessarily poor. They are impoverished. There is a difference between poverty and impoverishment. The latter is what somebody does to another person and that is exactly what has happened in the case of Nigeria. Politicians have allocated public resources to themselves and in so doing made the people poorer. We are speaking on a day when it has been announced that the brother of the First Lady [Aisha Buhari] has been appointed to head the NSPMC, which is the company in charge of mints in the country. Somebody was saying he is qualified, why not. I was like how silly can we be? Why can’t people understand it when they are destroying themselves? Why is it that it is only the families of people who are in temporary power in Nigeria that have a monopoly of capability, exactly at the time when their families are in power? The husband of the president of the Court of Appeal, all of a sudden, is the only qualified person who can represent Bauchi North in the Senate. And once his wife is no longer the president of the Court of Appeal, the person who comes to substitute him is the son of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). You could go on about this story, about how Nigeria has basically become a feudal piece of real estate and the feudalization of Nigeria is part of the pauperization and the impoverishment of the people.
First of all, poor people are not necessarily stupid. Second of all, Nigeria does not suffer from poverty. Nigeria suffers from impoverishment inflicted on it by politicians and it is precisely because of these two reasons that the people need to insist on asking critical questions. If we don’t, then we are condemned to living in this condition and even worse.
How much of a hindrance do you think vote merchandising will be to the primacy of issue-based campaign? Politicians think electorate have a price and they stockpile tons of money to induce them at elections and care less about campaigns or selling their programmes to the voters.
But we could all see that vote merchandising did not work in Osun State governorship election.
But there are reports that the two major parties bought votes and maybe perhaps the voters decided in favour of the higher bidder…
But it was APC which is the ruling party that is in the position to spend more money to buy votes. You can’t tell me that PDP had more money to spend in Osun than the APC. Clearly not. So, it did not obviously work in Osun State. The fact is even that in off-cycle elections, it is easy to concentrate money and security assets on the state where election is holding. But in a general election and on a day when people are electing the president and the National Assembly members, there is a limit to how much you can lay on the services of the bullion vans and the mint to buy up voters in 36 states. It is just logistically and materially pretty much impossible to pull off across about 174, 000 polling units in the country. That is not easy to do. The reality is there are limits to how much you can buy votes or your way into the presidency. Governor Nyesom Wike has already learnt that in a hard way at least at the level of party primaries. In truth, one of the four leading candidates will be president of the country in 2023 if the elections take place in February 2023.
In terms of specifics, some have said candidates who are not talking about restructuring or devolution of powers and how they are going to revive the flagging economy should just be ignored. Do you share such view?
My view on this does not really necessarily matter. In a lot of these things, we are only having asymmetrical conversations. There are different conversations taking place in the North from what is taking place in the South. There is some consistency to that. For instance, the #EndSARS protest was a major movement in the Southern Nigeria. It was not quite the same event in the North as it was in the South. In a lot of states in Northern Nigeria, there was no #EndSARS protest. But it was a very big thing in Southern Nigeria. In the same way, restructuring is a major conversation in Southern Nigeria, but in Northern Nigeria, they are talking about unity of the country. These are two different conversations. For people in the South, a lot of the revenue goes to funding Nigeria comes from the South, whether it is revenue from natural resources or revenue from innovation and taxes. For the North, the North-West alone has produced the presidents of Nigeria for 22 years which is over one third of the period Nigeria has been in existence.
Now, when you are talking about restructuring, it is not necessarily a vote-winner in Northern Nigeria. So, restructuring is very much a Southern idea and this is not a question of whether or not I agree with it. I am just telling you what I see as the situation in the political firmament. If your proposition is that those who speak to restructuring will get votes from the South, I agree with you. And if it is that those who talk about it will get votes from all over the country, I will ask you to have a second look at Northern Nigeria again.
Two key factors, ethnicity and religion, have come to shape conversations in the build-up to the elections. I remember it was so when we had the first republic when parties were strong in the regions of their founders and so on. Why is it impossible for us to do away with these factors in the country’s national life?
It all depends on the context you are talking about. You and I were adults when [Olusegun] Obasanjo was president of Nigeria and his presidency was not necessarily defined by either ethnicity or religion. As a matter of fact, Obasanjo was rejected by the South-West from which he came and nobody has claimed that Obasanjo became president or was re-elected because he is an evangelical Christian, of course he is a Baptist. Most Nigerians don’t know Obasanjo is a Christian or a Baptist. Most Nigerians didn’t know that President Umaru Yar’Adua had a religion.
But much of the division in Nigeria now is down to President Buhari and what he has done to the country and we have got to be very clear on that. He has absolutely ruined Nigeria in terms of issues of ethnicity and religion and it is because of him that the issues that you talked about are real. Buhari has turned Nigeria into North-South, Christian-Muslim and all of those cleavages. It is as a result of that, that the 2023 elections will be won not on uniting the country, but along those divisions that are so unnerving about Nigeria. As I say repeatedly, Buhari has totally mismanaged our diversity and exposed those fault lines. That is the really sad thing about the Buhari presidency and Buhari’s misadventure in power.
There have been various conversations around the major candidates. There are those who say PDP and APC have been tested and have failed, calling for a different party from the two, which is why the Labour Party animated by Peter Obi is creating ripples and getting support from those who feel it is the turn of the South-East to produce the next president. Others see the race as a straight fight between Tinubu and Atiku. What do you think?
Well, the race is down to Nigerians on who should lead the country. Whoever they choose, as long as INEC and that is a big if, if INEC chooses to create a level playing field and be a neutral umpire, then the person who fulfills the two major requirements of securing the highest number of votes and scoring 25 per cent of the votes cast in two-thirds of the states of Nigeria will win. It is as simple as that. Whosoever Nigerians choose to confer that privilege on should be Nigeria’s president. It is not for me to tell you who that person will be because I am not a babalawo and I am not endowed with those skills to prognosticate and see vision. I am also not a Nigerian evangelical pastor or Imam who can see into the future. I can’t tell you who is going to win the election and how the person is going to do it.
Whether it is by structure or instruction or by divine intervention is not the least of my problems. The rules are very clear. So, let the rules be applied and let Nigerians make choices and let the person who fulfils those conditions be president.
The biggest issue I see with the elections is INEC’s independence. Will INEC be neutral? That I really think is a particularly important issue. I don’t think INEC, under the current leadership, has been neutral or independent. I have to make myself very clear on that. I will be happy to go on record on that and will be happy for Professor Mahmood Yakubu to prove me wrong on that. There are two major issues here. One, when you look at the list of INEC’s RECs, which is now before the National Assembly, you will see that a good number of them are political appointees and the constitution is very clear on this. If you are partisan, you are not to be so appointed. Buhari tried it before with Loretta Onochie, it took pressure from Nigerians to preclude her from being appointed INEC national commissioner. Now, he has nominated someone who ran for office as APC governorship aspirant in Sokoto State to become a REC. That is the first thing, that the independence and integrity of INEC have been questioned.
The second thing is that INEC, in my view, is being dishonest about the effect of insecurity on the elections. There are lots of parts of the country in both South and North that INEC can’t safely deploy election personnel and materials. In parts of Kaduna North, Kaduna South, even in parts of Imo State, including the local government area of the governor, it is difficult to safely deploy election workers there. The same situations exist for Katsina, Zamfara or Niger states.
INEC has not been honest and clear in coming out publicly to say these are the places it can’t safely deploy election workers. Even the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, has had to write to the president about Ansaru that it is setting up a parallel government in the state and taxing people and precluding people from campaigning. But INEC is telling us it will be able to conduct elections in every local government area in the country, which is blatantly and manifestly false. So, if we are in a situation in which INEC can’t be honest with the problems it is having and address those problems, how do you expect them to be honest about credible elections? There could be a third issue, which is, if INEC is not being honest about this, how can INEC technology work? INEC is saying that it has this new magical solution called BIVAS for everything that has plagued our elections in the past. But there are parts of the country where insurgents have taken off telecoms masts and we know there are parts of the country where BIVAS is not going to work. Again, INEC is not coming up clearly on that. So, these are some of the issues that make me go on record on this matter. This particular INEC, I am sorry, appears crooked and it is not up to the job at the moment. It could change. But it is not, at this particular time, up to the job of organising free, fair and credible elections. Let them prove me wrong.
But Buhari has repeatedly assured Nigerians that votes will count and has been making reference to the Osun election where the ruling party lost?
Under the Nigerian law, the president lacks the capacity to guarantee the independence of the electoral process. As matter of fact, that the president is saying that should trouble everybody because it is really not his job. It means INEC is not independent. It is the chairman of INEC who should be telling us that. For the president to be the one giving us that assurance, then it means there is a subordination of security and the judiciary for INEC. It is not the business of the president to get into that territory.
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2023: Nigerians in search of issues-based campaign…
•As electioneering officially begins September 28
The window for campaign by candidates and political parties for 2023 elections will officially open on September 28. DARE ADEKANMBI looks at how the coming electioneering must be devoid of the rituals that have robbed campaign rallies of their essence.
The processes leading to the conduct of the all-important 2023 elections enter a key phase this month with public campaign being officially sanctioned to begin by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Item nine (9) on INEC’s timetable, listed as commencement of campaign by political parties in the public arena, is in accordance with Section 94 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022. It empowers political parties to start their campaign 150 days to elections and 24 hours before voting begins.
Accordingly, presidential and national Assembly candidates are permitted to hit the streets from September 28, while those in the governorship and House of Assembly races will follow two weeks later on October 12.
It would seem that in drafting the enabling law, consideration was given to the reality that long before the official commencement of campaign, politicians have always devised means of reaching out to people, particularly influential opinion molders, with their message hiding under the guise of engaging in consultations.
The three leading presidential candidates in next year’s election, AtikuAbubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party’s Peter Obi have all been junketing around the country, meeting leaders behind closed-doors and regaling the press with only what they could reveal from their discussions.
What campaign rallies are versus what they ought to be
There is an overwhelming consensus that political campaigns in the country have been greatly deficient in terms of their nature, tenor and focus.
A political campaign is an organised event held in an atmosphere of open discussion with political parties and their candidates engaging the civic populace on their plans for the country and its citizens.
It is one of the events in the electoral process that afford the electorate the opportunity to make informed choices having listened to the various plans of the candidates and the parties. The voters will have the opportunity to compare and contrast the plans in order for them to come to a decision on which is better and is capable of making life better for them.
But in Nigeria, particularly since the return of civil administration in 1999, campaign rallies are increasingly proving to be avenues for candidates to, in the words of Shakespeare, woo the hapless masses “with the craft of smile”, and in some cases “renting” them as crowd to populate the venues of campaigns while dishing out vain and unattainable promises that they know the audience may not critically dissect.
At most of such rallies, copies of the programme and the roadmap to achieving it are not circulated to the audience for interrogation. And where they circulate them, the details are sketchy and the clear path to achieving the usually lofty plans is not articulated.
Politicians would characteristically mobilise popular music acts to perform at their campaign rallies for the electorate to dance away their sorrow. Such music and dance have been given ample time, rather than focusing more on the goods they intend to deliver for the citizenry.
Campaign period sought to naturally provide the political class with a great opportunity to either validate the findings they have documented from past research or collect fresh data from the populace for the purpose of providing good governance.
Will things be done differently this time?
A scholar on political communication and senior lecturer at the University of Lagos, Professor TundeOpeibi, tells Sunday Tribune that campaign period should be a moment for “political marketing” rather than “political macheting” as usually experienced in the country’s political space has shown.
“Unfortunately we have been witnessing some unsavoury comments of some candidates denigrating others and attacking them. This is not a typical, civilized political discourse. They should focus on issues and avoid mudslinging, character assassination or keep blaming the others.
“Tells us what you want to do and how you want to do it. Show us your record and sincerity. Your records are there for the public to scrutinize. Demonstrate how you want to affect the citizenry positively.”
On most campaign rallies being populated by common people and scanty number of the elite, Opeibi said, “the issue is that many of those of us who are elite don’t really vote and the politicians know that the people they can mobilise to campaign venues are those in the lower cadre of society. So, they must reach out to them in the language they understand.
“So, that is a strategy in political discourse. You must look at your audience and what they will understand and how you can communicate your vision and manifesto to them effectively.
“Our political discourse and democratic system are yet to mature. So, we can’t compare ourselves with the Western democracies that they have been practising for more than a century,” he explained, concurring, however, that the process needs to be refined.
“I agree with you that we must begin to refine the process, the system of campaigning, but as I said, it will take us some time before we get there. What I will advise our politicians to do is to avoid money politics which makes them feel that they can buy votes. They don’t really believe in campaign, they just merely go to the venues to just do showmanship for the sake of campaigning,” he said.
A former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Professor ChidiOdinkalu, opines that Nigerians need to be critical of the promises the candidates and the parties will make to them this time and see if the promises are measurable and not mere motherhood statements or like Shakespeare said, a tale told by politicians full of sound and fury yet signifying nothing.
“I think the one thing that has defined Nigerian politics and campaigns in the last decade has been an absence of issue-based politics. In 2015, Goodluck Jonathan, who was in his second term, promised Nigerians ‘transformation’ and General MuhammaduBuhari promised ‘change.’ Nobody asked either of them what any of those concepts meant. So, people queued up ultimately behind Buhari who promised ‘change’ at over 70 years of age; change that he was not able to implement when he was in his 40s.
“Now that Buhari has proved an absolute disaster because there is no other way to describe him, people are now wondering how they got themselves to the nonsense that is happening in the country.
“In 2019, he promised to take Nigerians to the ‘next level’. Did Nigerians ask him and his party ‘next level to what?’ Next level is not a destination; it could be for worse or for better. But nobody asked if it was for better or worse. Change can be for worse or for better. People just accepted and swallowed it and we are where we are today.
“This time, the citizens should be prepared to ask questions from any of the leading candidates and get to the nitty-gritty of what exactly they are selling.”
The candidates, the issues and what electorate must look out for
A professor of Mass Communication and Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Professor BayoOloyede, states issues Nigerians should look out for from politicians whether at campaign rallies or political debates.
“The main thrust of campaign ought to be issues about what the candidates have in plan for the people. Issues of how they want to execute development programmes, the loopholes they have identified in the system, especially with the rate of rottenness that we currently have in all sectors.
“So, we expect that candidates are going to come out to tell us how they are going to better the system very quickly because there is a real heavy dose of discontent and despondency among Nigerians in all the sectors. Is it the economy that you want to talk about or is it security? Is it education?
“You will observe that Nigerians are leaving the country in droves currently, especially the young ones. Anyone who has the opportunity to move out is moving out. This is not in the best interest of our country because when young and creative people leave a particular environment, it diminishes the rate of progress in that society. And we can’t blame these young people when you look at the situation, there is no hope, everything looks hopeless.
“This is what we currently have and the electorate will expect those who are campaigning to lead us to tell us what they want to do. We expect a deep analysis of the current situation. Unfortunately, from the previous campaigns that we had before the gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states, we did not see much of this.
“The electorate should look out for discussion of issues and the central issues are very clear. How are the people who are campaigning to lead us better the system.
“A lot of issues also call for attention. Most of the candidates chosen by the parties have a lot of baggage, some moral baggage, some educational/certificate baggage, some have corruption allegations. They need to clear the baggage and in addition, tell us what is going to make them better than other candidates.
“We need to know what the plan to do and how they want to do it. This ordinarily and ideally is what the electorate to dissect or study to convince them. It is not about ethnicity or religion and so on,” he said.
Campaign and the vote merchandising phenomenon
But do the candidates need to campaign when there is a new strategy of them stockpiling tons of cash to be doled out to the electorate before and during elections?
That is perhaps one question that will be agitating some Nigerians in the wake of the new fashion of politicians really not showing much interest in selling their manifestos to the people but reposing huge confidence in the power of cash and the number of votes it can deliver for them.
Professor Oloyede believes money may not do the magic for the candidates this time. “Since they know they will be detected, they don’t necessarily wait till the election day to give the money. Monetising election in Nigeria is due to the level of poverty and illiteracy. People may collect the money and not deliver the votes for them this time. That is what I foresee. From my own personal analysis, relying on money this time round may not deliver the highest votes. The situation goes beyond that.
“People are becoming more enlightened and they see the rottenness all the time and they see that it is affecting their children. They have children in public universities and they have been at home for six months and solution is not in sight and then you are asking people to come and vote for you. Even if they collect your money, I foresee that they may not deliver the votes this time round. Whether persuasion can help in /dissuading the electorate from collecting money from politicians that is what I don’t know, given the level of poverty currently in the land,” he said.
For Professor Opeibi, the process needs some refinement and the media has a big role to play. “As you rightly observed, the structure for political campaigning is very important. You engage in political debates and thrash out issues. Unfortunately too, some politicians run away from debates.
“Those of you in the media must consistently organiseprogrammes for these politicians to tell us what they want to do. You also follow up and ensure you don’t give them any breathing space. The media has a greater role to play in setting agenda for political campaign and then drawing out the politicians and let them know the way the world is going now is not about what they used to do. Of course, the social media is also a massive platform now. I also think they need experts who will help them to get on the platform and mobilise young people to get interested in political campaign,” he said.
According to Oloyede, if all stakeholders do what is required of them and campaign become issue-based, the electorate will be better informed and be guided on making the right choices. “If all of them concentrate on this, the electorate will be able to choose the best from among them.”
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I get the same response every time I tell someone where I’m from: “Oh my God! You’re from Alaska? How the hell did you end up here?”
It’s a very good question, and one I keep asking myself more and more as I begin to adjust to life in Kansas. Sometimes I look around and think I am on another planet. That doesn’t just apply to the landscape I’m used to, but the food, the weather, and of course, the people.
Growing up in Alaska, wonder and possibility are two feelings you do not have to look hard for. You could wake up out of bed, get in your car, drive 30 minutes in a certain direction and be somewhere completely remote. You could be isolated. For the longest time that intrigued me, as it does with everyone who has experienced the feeling of being in a remote environment. Alaska is a playground for the curious and for the people who find joy in getting lost and adventuring.
It was my privilege to call it home for 19 years.
Now, I wake up and look out my window, and instead of watching my sunrise over the mountains, I see the sun crest over Frasier Hall. That question keeps popping back into my head: “How the hell did you end up here?”
I could give you the technical reasons why I chose KU. How I have family in Overland Park I can go see when I need to escape from busy life and loud roommates. How the school mesmerized me on my first visit with the large and bustling college campus, and the intoxicating feeling of awe I felt when I walked into Allen Fieldhouse for the first time.
Those are technical and artistic examples. The real reason I chose to travel almost three thousand miles to a place I have never known to meet people I have never met was simply because I had to leave.
The adventure that is encapsulated around Alaska could put a spell on anyone, but after 19 years, the allure to the state became stale. My mom always told me that no matter what you want to do in life, leave home. When you leave home, you either realize how much you miss your home, or you leave and discover a whole new life that you love.
Transitioning has been different. Not only am I far away and in a place that is as familiar to me as the surface of the moon, but I am also making the leap that every student has feared. I find myself comfortable, though. There is a feeling of warmth the campus brings, and the community has accepted me with open arms. It is easy to meet people when you say you’re from Alaska; it’s like wearing a shirt that says, “I’m cool.”
I’m getting more used to the heat. My blood is still a little thick for the heat down here, but I’m getting better at adapting to it. I enjoy the cool early morning breeze and the rich smells filling my morning walk to campus.
I’m far from home and doing something I have never done before, but I am happy. I miss home and I always will, but it makes me feel better knowing I am branching out to unfamiliar experiences. It is all so exciting. | https://www.kansan.com/chalkmagazine/from-the-49th-to-the-lower-48/article_a911dd5a-2bde-11ed-8328-47c744fc97ae.html | 2022-09-04T06:16:59Z | kansan.com | control | https://www.kansan.com/chalkmagazine/from-the-49th-to-the-lower-48/article_a911dd5a-2bde-11ed-8328-47c744fc97ae.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
AUSTIN (KXAN/NEXSTAR) — Which restroom will take the throne in a competition for America’s ‘Best Restroom’? The suspense is leaving the country on the edge of its seat.
Cintas — a corporation that supplies uniforms, cleaning products and restroom supplies to businesses — is currently accepting votes for the America’s Best Restroom Contest, an annual celebration of the most eye-catching or otherwise interesting facilities in the country. Now in its 21st year, the contest aims to crown 2022’s “Best Restroom” from a pool of finalists that include restaurant restrooms, watering-hole washrooms and even airport lavatories.
“The public holds higher standards for the cleanliness and technology used in public restrooms which is why we’re proud to recognize these businesses that maintain clean and exceptional facilities,” said Julia Messinger, the marketing manager at Cintas, in a recent press release.
The bathrooms selected as finalists were deemed to be especially elegant or eclectic, and chosen for their cleanliness and aesthetic allure, according to Cintas.
This year’s finalists, in alphabetical order, are located at:
- Delaware Botanic Gardens, in Dagsboro, Delaware, where the bathroom incorporates garden elements and floor-to-ceiling windows to showcase the outdoors
- Eberly, a restaurant in Austin, Texas, with bathrooms that feature a “vacancy” light on the exterior of each stall door
- Headlands Lodge and Spa, in Pacific City, Oregon, where restroom visitors are treated to a “spa-like feel,” according to Cintas
- La Patisserie, a restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina, which earned a spot thanks to its bathrooms’ chandeliers and fully enclosed stalls
- Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, where the all-gender restroom in Terminal B offers “potty parity for all,” Cintas says
- No. 5 Bistro and Bar, in Sedalia, Missouri, where the bathrooms are said to pay homage to a historic building
- North Hollywood Recreation Center, in California, with lavatories that feature self-cleaning capabilities
- Stone Mountain Public House, in Stone Mountain, Georgia, where the washroom takes on a “fun, prohibition theme”
- Tampa International Airport, in Florida, in the Airside C section, where the bathroom is decorated with images of Florida’s fauna
- Tori Tori, a restaurant in Orlando, which features restroom flower arrangements perfect for “mirror selfies and photos,” Cintas says
Voting for America’s “Best Restroom” is open through Aug. 31 at BestRestroom.com. The winner will be honored with a place in the America’s Best Restroom Hall of Fame, as well as a restroom cleaning service and $2,500 in facility services or future restroom cleanings.
“While most people would likely characterize their trip to the restroom as a fairly unremarkable experience, we at Cintas think it should be unforgettable,” Cintas writes of its annual contest. | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/contest-to-crown-best-restroom-in-america-have-a-look-at-the-10-finalists/ | 2022-09-04T06:18:19Z | siouxlandproud.com | control | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/contest-to-crown-best-restroom-in-america-have-a-look-at-the-10-finalists/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
CHENEY — Gunner Talkington’s fifth touchdown pass, a 13-yarder to Efton Chism III with 2:39 to play, lifted FCS No. 12 Eastern Washington to a 36-29 win over Tennessee State in a lightning-delayed opening game on Saturday.
Talkington, a fifth-year senior in his first start after backing up All-American and Payton Award winner Eric Barriere, was 29 of 46 for 348 yards. He also ran nine times for a team-high 60 yards. Coming into the game he was 32-of-64 passing for 365 yards and five TDs in his career.
Tre Weed intercepted a long pass at the EWU 10 with 44 seconds to play to seal the game.
After an almost hour delay late in the third quarter, the Tigers scored 10-straight points to tie the game at 29. Talkington then took the Eagles on an 11-play, 75-yard drive for the win, throwing for the winner after his five-yard touchdown run was wiped out by a penalty.
Draylen Ellis, who threw for 257 yards and two scores, tied the game with a 4-yard run with 6:32 to play. Devon Starling ran for 207 yards and a score on 25 carries. Zack Dobson had five receptions for 132 yards with a 67-yard score on a shovel pass to open the scoring.
Both teams had 255 yards of offense in the first quarter when Tennessee State took a 19-15 lead. The final tally was 474 for Eastern, which lost a fumble early, and 547 for the Blue Raiders, who had three turnovers and 12 penalties.
No. 3 Georgia 49
No. 11 Oregon 3
ATLANTA — Stetson Bennett threw for 368 yards and accounted for three touchdowns, a revamped defense didn’t miss a beat, and No. 3 Georgia looked very much like a team intent of defending its national championship.
Bennett completed 25-of-31 passes with two touchdowns and ran for another score before calling it a day in the third quarter of the season opener, the Bulldogs leading 42-3 and having thoroughly ruined the debut of Oregon coach Dan Lanning.
After spending the last three years as Georgia’s co-defensive coordinator, Lanning got a look at his former team from the opposing sideline in a game played before a predominantly red-clad crowd at the home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.
Florida 29
No. 7 Utah 26
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Anthony Richardson ran for three scores in his second career start, including a 2-yard scamper with 1:25 remaining, and Florida upset Utah to get the Billy Napier era off to a rousing start.
Richardson was the best player on the field most of the night. He really showed up down the stretch, although linebacker Amari Burney was the guy who sealed the victory for the Gators.
Burney intercepted Cam Rising’s second-down pass into the end zone with 17 seconds remaining. That set off a wild celebration that surely will last long into the night.
Richardson took a knee from there, and the Gators stormed the field to revel in their 33rd consecutive victory in home season openers.
No. 14 Southern Cal 66
Rice 14
LOS ANGELES — Caleb Williams passed for 249 yards, rushed for 68 more and hit Jordan Addison for two touchdowns, and coach Lincoln Riley’s tenure at Southern California got off to a roaring start with a victory over Rice.
Calen Bullock, Shane Lee and Ralen Goforth returned three of USC’s four interceptions for touchdowns. The Trojans scored more points in Riley’s debut than they did in any game under Clay Helton, who was fired last season before a powerhouse program sank to its worst record in 30 years.
With Williams going 19 for 22 while leading six consecutive scoring drives to open the game, USC had its highest-scoring performance since 2008, when the program still reigned near the top of college football under Pete Carroll.
UCLA 45
Bowling Green 17
PASADENA, Calif. — Dorian Thompson-Robinson accounted for 385 yards of total offense and four scores, Zach Charbonnet ran for 111 yards and a touchdown, and UCLA rallied for a victory over Bowling Green in the season opener for both teams.
The Bruins trailed 17-7 early in the second quarter before scoring 38 straight points to win their opener for the second straight year.
Thompson-Robinson completed 32 of 43 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns along with rushing for 87 yards and two scores. The fifth-year senior supplied an early highlight with a career-long 68-yard TD run during the first quarter to tie the game at seven.
Charbonnet posted his eighth 100-yard rushing game since transferring from Michigan last year. The Bruins rushed for 264 yards, improving to 16-4 when that has happened since Chip Kelly became coach in 2018.
Arizona 38
San Diego St. 20
SAN DIEGO — Jayden de Laura threw four touchdown passes, three to fellow transfer Jacob Cowing, and Arizona beat San Diego State to spoil the debut of Snapdragon Stadium.
The Aztecs (0-1) waited two years for their new stadium to be built next to where 70,000-seat SDCCU Stadium once stood, and then were embarrassed by the Wildcats (1-0) on a 100-degree day.
Arizona avenged a 38-14 loss to SDSU in its home opener last year during a 1-11 season. De Laura, who transferred from Washington State, completed 22 of 35 passes for 299 yards. He was intercepted once. Cowing, a transfer from UTEP, had eight catches for 152 yards.
The Wildcats sacked transfer Braxton Burmeister on the first play from scrimmage, forced SDSU to punt and then scored the stadium’s first points on Tyler Loop’s 25-yard field goal.
California 34
UC Davis 13
BERKELEY, Calif. — Jack Plummer threw three touchdown passes in his debut for California and Craig Woodson returned an interception for a score to lead California to a victory over UC Davis.
The Golden Bears (1-0) shook off a rough start on offense with minus-1 yard in the first quarter to improve to 11-0 all-time against the Aggies (0-1).
Plummer threw TD passes of 3 yards to Jeremiah Hunter and 8 yards Jaydn Ott in the second quarter, and a 14-yarder to Mavin Anderson in the fourth quarter of his first appearance since transferring from Purdue.
Woodson helped take control of the game when he intercepted Miles Hastings on the opening drive of the second half and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown that made it 24-7.
Stanford 41
Colgate 10
STANFORD, Calif. — Tanner McKee threw two touchdown passes to Michael Wilson and Stanford routed FCS Colgate in a season opener for both teams.
E.J. Smith, the son of former Dallas Cowboys star Emmitt Smith, had career bests with 118 yards rushing and five catches while running for two touchdowns to help the Cardinal snap a seven-game losing streak that dated to last season.
Stanford is 10-2 in home openers and 9-3 in season openers under coach David Shaw. Colgate marked the second opponent and third game against an FCS team in Shaw’s 11-year tenure.
On Stanford’s first play from scrimmage, Smith took the handoff, cut left and raced into the end zone for an 87-yard touchdown. That tied Nathaniel Peat for the fifth-longest touchdown run in school history.
Oregon St. 34
Boise St. 17
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Chance Nolan passed for two touchdowns and Oregon State’s defense forced five turnovers in a season-opening victory over Boise State.
The Beavers, who are hoping to build on last season’s first bowl-game appearance since 2013, took control early behind their opportunistic defense and a few big plays offensively.
Oregon State snapped its six-game losing streak in season openers.
Boise State received a lift off the bench from backup quarterback Taylen Green, who replaced an ineffective Hank Bachmeier and sparked a second-half comeback. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/pac-12-football-roundup-sept-4-2022/article_52a8ca82-2bde-11ed-a71e-3f4c8aa51000.html | 2022-09-04T07:01:32Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/pac-12-football-roundup-sept-4-2022/article_52a8ca82-2bde-11ed-a71e-3f4c8aa51000.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Across the nation, the impact of the ongoing cost of living crisis has been colossal. Every day prices and expenses have skyrocketed, from the cost of a weekly shop to gas and electricity bills, meaning those who are already hard up for cash are now facing even tougher financial strain.
River ward in Chatham has been determined as the most deprived area in Medway and local residents have shed light on the reality of life here as the cost of living crisis rages on. The Index of Multiple Deprivation is the official measure for relative deprivation in England which uses numerous indicators across seven domains to calculate a result for every neighbourhood in the country.
The seven categories used o determine deprivation are: income, employment, health deprivation and disability , education skills training, crime, barriers to housing and services and the living environment. Chatham’s River Ward was found to be the most deprived area of Medway, taking the 144th spot out of 32,844 locations in England, where number 1 is the most deprived, placing it amongst the 10 per cent most deprived neighbourhoods in the country.
Read more: Chatham locals weigh in on plans to bring more flats to the High Street
Taking to the area, the financial position of this Medway patch becomes clear as numerous businesses appear empty or closed down while the streets are unkempt and lined with litter. Primarily, those who live in the area take residence in flats with numerous apartment complexes to be found in the neighbourhood.
As financial conditions continue to grow tougher across the nation, residents in this ward have opened up about their experiences and their concerns going forward.
‘I just try to make the most of the situation I’m in’
Kevin Lloyd, 64, has lived in the River ward for around five years. He begins: “I’m on Universal Credit at the moment, I put in for quite a lot of jobs and you just never hear anything back, I don’t know if it’s my age or not. From my own experience, I’ve gone to various organisations like computer clubs, cooking skills, football, theatre work. I just try to make the most of the situation I’m in, keep an active social life and make the best of it.”
Discussing the current hardship, he added: “‘The cost of living crisis is affecting people yes, you can see from all the empty shops around here. I get my monthly payments, so that’s been a big help, and we got some free meals in the local restaurants which was a big help as well. With winter coming along, people are going to be using electricity more, and with the electric going up and up it’s going to affect people, during this crisis, trying to pay their bills.”
Kevin believes the government has stepped in where needed though. He added: “The government are giving a hand to people, you know giving £600 which is a lot of money to help people. The government has said they’re going to cap the electricity amount for six month which will help.”
‘It’s going to hit people like me hard’
Maureen Sears, 87, has been a resident in the area for some time and has large concerns regarding the cost of living crisis. She said: “It’s going to hit people like me hard. The way I look at it, I’ve worked hard all of my life and now I could do with a bit of relaxation but now I’ve got to start worrying about the money. I honestly don’t think it’s all the government's fault, some companies and people are cashing in on it. People like us, we’ve got to eat.
“I’ve worked hard all my life and I want a little bit of me time now, but with all the prices going up, it’s not happening.” Discussing the winter she said: ‘Where I live, we are very well looked after. If I was still living in my old bungalow, it would be much more difficult but I’ve got people here now, who keep an eye on me.” Maureen went on to discuss the changes she has noticed the most since the crisis began.
She said: “I get most of my stuff from Iceland, and they’re very good. It has still gone up but at the moment it’s not too much for me to worry about. My kids are all grown up, but if you’ve got little ones, and if they want things but you’ve got to say no because of money, it’s a bit heart-breaking.”
‘Just got to dig in, it’s the only thing you can do’
Paul Painter, 58, has lived in the ward for 23 years. He begins: “Prices are going up everywhere, main thing I’ve noticed is my cat food has gone up. It’s cheaper to go into the corner shop nowadays than going into Sainsbury's or Tesco, just got to support your local shops and see what happens. They’re squeezing us for our electric and our water. Each month I’ve just got less money to spend."
Discussing the coming winter months he said: “I’m alright, I’ve got a log burner anyway, I’ve got a wetsuit worst case and my big coat. Just got to dig in, it’s the only thing you can do.”
‘People up and down the country will be struggling in a similar way, but we’re seeing it here first hand’
Medway Labour Group leader Cllr Vince Maple said "more families than ever" are going to organisations like Medway Food Bank, Gillingham Street Angels and One Big Family.
“We’ve been hearing some pretty terrible situations where parents are perhaps only having a bowl of cereal to eat a day because they want to ensure that their child can eat," he said. "Medway’s not unique for that, of course, people up and down the county and the country will be struggling in a similar way, but we’re seeing it here very much first hand.”
Vince continues on to discuss how it’s not just the most deprived areas that are affected. He added: “It is all of those areas that have high levels of deprivation but one of the things that we’re very slowly starting to see is actually people who have never had to reach out for support now at that point. Particularly with the massively increasing energy bills, they will be technically in fuel poverty because such a large chunk of their income will be going to pay that.”
Discussing some of the support that is available, Vince said: "There are other schemes in place but those are quite bureaucratic and actually you want people to be able to access support as simply as possible and I’m not sure that has always been the case in recent times.”
Vince also offered advise for those who are struggling currently but may not know what to do. He added: “Reach out to your local representatives, reach out to organisations like Medway Citizens Advice. If you’re in urgent need, for example of food, reach out to Medway Food Bank or Gillingham Street Angels. Don’t leave it until the 11th hour because in some cases, the later you leave it, the more difficult getting that help can be from a practical perspective.”
Read next: | https://www.kentlive.news/news/cost-of-living/life-medways-most-deprived-area-7533851 | 2022-09-04T07:08:43Z | kentlive.news | control | https://www.kentlive.news/news/cost-of-living/life-medways-most-deprived-area-7533851 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
TikTok star dies in skydiving accident
TORONTO (CTV Network) - Authorities are investigating the fatal skydiving accident of a 21-year-old TikTok star from Canada.
Funeral services were held Friday for 21-year-old Tanya Pardazi, better known by her TikTok handle “philosatea.” She was a philosophy student at the University of Toronto.
Pardazi posted about taking skydiving lessons in her last TikTok post on Aug. 22.
Skydive Toronto has acknowledged there was a fatal accident Aug. 27 involving a student. The student skydiver reportedly released the main parachute at an altitude too low for it to properly inflate.
Friends told CTV News Toronto it was Pardazi’s first solo dive. The 21-year-old was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
“Tanya had an interest in anything that was new and adventurous,” said her childhood friend, Melody Ozgoli. “Life was too boring for her, and she was always trying to do something adventurous.”
Canada’s South Simcoe Police Service is investigating the accident.
Copyright 2022 CTV Network via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. Gray News contributed to this report. | https://www.wave3.com/2022/09/04/tiktok-star-dies-skydiving-accident/ | 2022-09-04T07:13:53Z | wave3.com | control | https://www.wave3.com/2022/09/04/tiktok-star-dies-skydiving-accident/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans celebrates after defeating the Rice Owls 66-14 during a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Luke McCaffrey #10 of the Rice Owls catches a pass for first down against thew USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans enters the field prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Rice Owls at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Raleek Brown #14 of the USC Trojans runs for touchdown against the Rice Owls in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans enters the field prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Rice Owls at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans honors the late Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully in the first half of a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Rice Owls at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive lineman Brandon Pili #91 of the USC Trojans pressures quarterback Wiley Green #5 of the Rice Owls in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Raleek Brown #14 of the USC Trojans runs for first down against the Rice Owls in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans enters the field prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Rice Owls at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans enters the field prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Rice Owls at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
A flyover prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Rice Owls at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Ari Broussard #30 of the Rice Owls dives for the touchdown against the USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans the field prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Rice Owls at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans reacts against the Rice Owls in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 and quarterback Miller Moss #7 of the USC Trojans celebrates after defeating the Rice Owls 66-14 during a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams, center, celebrates with head coach Lincoln Riley, left, of the USC Trojans celebrates after defeating the Rice Owls 66-14 during a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Miller Moss #7 of the USC Trojans celebrates after defeating the Rice Owls 66-14 during a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans all smiles with quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans defeated the Rice Owls 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Jordan Addison #3 of the USC Trojans catches a pass and runs fora touchdown against cornerback Sean Fresch #1 of the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans rects after a touchdown against the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Austin Jones #6 of the USC Trojans runs for a touchdown against the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans rects after a touchdown against the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive back Xamarion Gordon #28 of the USC Trojans reacts after intercepting a pass against the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Austin Jones #6 of the USC Trojans runs for a touchdown against the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Austin Jones #6 of the USC Trojans runs for a touchdown against the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive back Xamarion Gordon #28 of the USC Trojans intercepts a pass against the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans takes on the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans scrambles for a first down against the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive back Xamarion Gordon #28 of the USC Trojans intercepts a pass against the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans students celebrates in the second half of a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Rice Owls at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans all smiles in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans defeated the Rice Owls 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Jordan Addison #3 of the USC Trojans catches a pass and runs fora touchdown against cornerback Sean Fresch #1 of the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Jordan Addison #3 of the USC Trojans catches a pass and runs fora touchdown against cornerback Sean Fresch #1 of the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans fan looks on in the second half of a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Rice Owls at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans takes on the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans scrambles for a first down against the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Austin Jones #6 of the USC Trojans runs for a touchdown against the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Jordan Addison #3 of the USC Trojans catches a pass and runs fora touchdown against cornerback Sean Fresch #1 of the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Miller Moss #7 of the USC Trojans prepares to pass against the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Raleek Brown #14 of the USC Trojans runs for a first down against the Rice Owls in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive lineman De’jon Benton #79 of the USC Trojans tackles quarterback TJ McMahon #7 of the Rice Owls for a loss of yards in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans fan looks on in the second half of a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Rice Owls at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 3, 2022. USC Trojans won 66-14. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
LOS ANGELES – The assumption all along was that USC would routinely be lighting up scoreboards this fall, thanks to the combination of scheme and offensive talent that Lincoln Riley had assembled. But who knew that when Riley’s Rapid Rebuild had its grand opening, the Trojans’ defense would be contributing so much to the scoring.
Maybe Alex Grinch envisioned it. His concept, as the defensive coordinator that joined Riley in the odyssey from Norman, Okla. to Los Angeles, is that defensive success is predicated on takeaways. And did the Trojans ever star in that department in Saturday’s 66-14 blitz of Rice at the Coliseum.
USC tied school and conference records with three pick-sixes, with Calen Bullock (93-yard return), Shane Lee (40 yards) and Ralen Goforth (45) all returning interceptions for touchdowns. Xamarion Gordon also picked off a pass at the Rice 34 in the third quarter that led to a Trojan touchdown.
Elegant? Not always. Luke McCaffrey bobbled the fourth-down from the Rice 12 that Bullock gobbled up and returned for a 28-7 second-quarter lead. Intended receiver Bradley Rozner tipped a TJ McMahon pass early in the third quarter into Lee’s grasp to make it 38-14. Three plays later, McMahon evaded one tackler but was about to get sacked anyway when he threw it right to Goforth, to make it 45-14.
But isn’t that part of the job? Be in the right place at the right time.
“We talked about tips, overthrows, and part of the message is that every single one of them included effort, effort on multiple guys’ parts,” Grinch said. “It’s one thing to tip a football, it’s another thing to come down with it. And then it’s a whole another thing to obviously go score with it. So if it becomes a habit I’ll be really, really excited. But we know how rare it is.”
It’s safe to say that a good number of those who played for Clay Helton’s Trojans weren’t deemed valuable enough to remain with the new regime, but two of Saturday’s heroes definitely were. Bullock is a sophomore defensive back from Muir High in Pasadena who was a freshman All-America selection. Goforth is a senior linebacker from St. John Bosco who was second on last year’s team in tackles.
“Calen, he’s one of those guys that I can see really having a great future,” Goforth said. “You can see it in practice, his work ethic. Not many guys can really cover an entire field the way he can. You know he can run sideline to sideline. Just when you think it’s open over here, just because you see him over there, he can get over there and catch the ball. That is rare to see somebody like that.”
Five plays before that 93-yard return, Bullock ran down Cameron Montgomery at the USC 20 after Montgomery had taken a pitch and broken for 55 yards. So you can say Bullock effectively saved two touchdowns in one drive.
“We talk about being an effort-based defense,” Grinch said. “And the minute I say effort someone wants to ask a question about scheme. The minute you talk about effort someone else wants to talk about talent and personnel. But I’m going to keep trumpeting this, and I think you’re talking about a guy that the sky’s the limit for Calen.
“I mean, he’s an elite dude and I’m thrilled to have a chance to coach him, but he doesn’t make either of those plays if he doesn’t play with tremendous effort. We’re sometimes warped as coaches, but … it is indicative of everything that we’re preaching. It’s one thing to say it, but it’s another thing that, you know, he’s the one who has to go chase him down. We don’t. So give him a lot of credit.”
This is how important takeaways are to the Trojans:
“Coach Grinch, he gave us a stat: 24 takeaways in the season,” Goforth said. “You know, that’s the bare minimum for us. that’s our goal, 24-plus takeaways by the end of the season.
“We want to play championship ball. You have to be able to take the ball away and get it back to our offense and have them do what they do, with the amazing weapons we have on that side of the ball. So that’s a big emphasis that we have in practice. We don’t have like a takeaway segment. Every team rep, every scout rep we do is our takeaway segment. We practice punching the ball out in every scout period, every team run, everything.”
It may not be sustainable; after all, the teams the Trojans will be playing in future weeks should be a lot better than Rice. But right now they’re on a pace for 48 takeaways.
“Most def,” Goforth said with a grin.
The takeaways may have had another purpose. This was a highly anticipated moment, the first game with an essentially new cast, a new coaching staff, and sky-high hopes for those who care about the Trojans. First game jittters and uncertainty would have been absolutely natural.
“You know, it’s it’s theory in a lot of ways up until this point,” Grinch said. “And obviously you get some real world stuff in practice. But there’s nothing like a game, and so it’s very meaningful. We’ve made a lot of sacrifices and a lot has been done over the last eight months, family- wise and for the men and the players, including a lot of new faces out there that, you know, came out here just wanting to be part of USC football. And so this was our first at-bat.”
Lee, one of those new faces as a transfer linebacker from Alabama, said just getting on the field in game conditions was critical.
“This is the first day we got to step on the field against an opponent, someone that wasn’t the same color (jersey) as us,” he said. “So it was really good for us to be able to communicate, feel what it’s like to be on the field next to each other in a real situation and be able to execute.”
Jim Alexander is an Inland Empire native who started with his hometown newspaper, The Press-Enterprise, longer ago than he cares to admit. He's been a sports columnist off and on since 1992, and a full-time columnist since 2010. Yes, he's opinionated, but no, that's not the only club in his bag. He's covered every major league and major sports beat in Southern California over the years, so not much surprises him any more. (And he and Justin Turner have this in common: Both attended Cal State Fullerton. Jim has no plans to replicate Turner's beard.)
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Under the Radar: Russell Stewart
Produced by Stuart Ramage and Roan Ballantine of VanIves, Russell Stewart’s new single will form part of series of relases over the coming months, write Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon
Russell Stewart came to nationwide attention with his debut single Midsummer, which notched up over 3 million streams on Spotify and earned him a place on the prestigious Our Generation Class of 2020 playlist. It was followed by the alt-soul groove belter, Citrus, which was picked up by both Radio Scotland and Radio 1 Introducing, before the Glasgow-based artist retreated during the pandemic to further hone his sound.
This summer, the erstwhile Taekwondo medallist returned to the stage for slots at the Eden Festival and Kelburn Garden Party, as well as supporting VanIves at their album launch in May.
Stuart Ramage and Roan Ballantine of VanIves have also taken on production duties for Stewart’s latest single, Align, which came out on Friday. Accompanied by a video shot at the Pipe Factory in Glasgow’s Barras by the Oddness Studio, it will form part of series of relases over the coming months. In the meantime, Stewart will be gracing the stage at the excellent Outwith Festival in Dunfermline on 10 September. See https://www.facebook.com/itsthisrussell | https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/under-the-radar-russell-stewart-3828018 | 2022-09-04T07:37:41Z | scotsman.com | control | https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/under-the-radar-russell-stewart-3828018 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
ARCHBISHOP Ibadan Province and Bishop of Osun North of the Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Abiodun Olaoye, has charged Nigerians to pray for good leaders ahead of the 2023 general election.
Olaoye made this known at the 9th Ibadan provincial prayer convocation with the theme, “Our Ever Present Help”, at the Ajayi Crowther University auditorium, Oyo town, Oyo State, adding that every child of God both Christians and Muslims need to pray to God for a good leader with the fear of God.
He appealed to every citizen to participate in the forthcoming election through prayers and also take their role by casting their vote.
“Sincerely situation of things in Nigeria needs a fervent prayers that is why I will encourage every child of God, every Christians and also practicing Muslims to pray to God, to guide us to chose for us, leaders that are God fearing, leaders whom God will use to transform our nation, leaders who are not corrupt but follow after righteousness in this nation.
We need to pray fervently for God to choose that leader for us like King David, a leader who is Godly that is what we need in 2023.
“The purpose is to charge them to be prayerful and also we encourage them to pray for the Diocese especially their members in their various problems to be solved, their needs to be met, that is the essence of the meeting.
“I believe we are serving a living God, he will answer our prayers.”
Also speaking at the event, Bishop of Ogbomoso Diocese, Right Reverend Titus Olayinka stressed the theme of the programme is crucial with the situation of the country.
He said, «We believe our God is ever present, He›s available for us at any point in time and when we call upon him, He›s ready to hear us and nothing stands as a barrier except sin. He›s available and that is why we say He’s our ever present help.
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The Senior Pastor of CAC Oke Ayo, Iseyin, Oyo State, Pastor Paul OlusolaAderoju, has called on the Federal Government to seek the intervention of the United Nations (UN) to tackle security challenges facing the country and curb terrorism, killings, kidnappings and banditry for Nigeria to move forward.
Pastor Aderoju, who gave the charge at the thanksgiving service marking the Greater Joy Convention of the church held at church auditorium, Oke Idaho, Iseyin, Oyo State, equally called on President MuhammaduBuhari to create jobs and ensure a viable economic environment for the economy to thrive. The cleric also commended Governor SeyiMakinde for transforming Oyo State in all sectors. He eulogised church members for their support and commitments to the growth of the church.
The chairman on the occasion and the Oniro of Komuland, His royal majesty, Oba JonahAwujoola, commended the church for spreading the gospel, while admonishing them to always be spirit-filled in line with the theme of this year’s convention tagged, “The Holy Spirit”.
The guest minister, Pastor (Dr) Henry Ojo in his sermon stressed the importance of the Holy Spirit, including sustainability, spiritual battle and fast-tracking spiritual duties and obligations as he called on people to strive for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In his remark, the special guest of honour at the event and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in Oyo State, MrDayoOgungbenro, expressed his delight over the progress attained by CAC Oke-Ayo, Iseyin, urging the church member to forge ahead in faith and service to God.
The week-long convention featured intensive prayer sessions, symposium, seminars, lectures and quiz competitions. CAC Oke-Ayo, Iseyin was established in 1993 and it has about 25 branches in Nigeria and Overseas.
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- EDITORIAL: UN’s Alarm On Starvation Of Children In Nigeria | https://tribuneonlineng.com/fg-should-seek-uns-intervention-to-tackle-security-threat/ | 2022-09-04T07:46:14Z | tribuneonlineng.com | control | https://tribuneonlineng.com/fg-should-seek-uns-intervention-to-tackle-security-threat/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The teenage son of an Upper East Side apartment superintendent allegedly snuck into a tenant’s bedroom — then masturbated using her underwear while sniffing another pair.
Jared Magana, 19, was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court Saturday night on charges of second-degree burglary as a sexually motivated felony.
Magana allegedly entered the victim’s bedroom while she was not home Thursday and rummaged through her underwear drawer unaware he was being filmed on a home-security video, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office.
He returned about a half hour later and pleasured himself using one pair of underwear while holding another pair “up to his nose and face,” according to prosecutors.
A roommate who noticed the apartment was in disarray checked the footage with the super and the super identified Magana as his son, the court heard.
Magana — who does not have a prior criminal record — was arraigned and held on $15,000 cash bail by Judge Michael Gaffey. Prosecutors had requested a bail of $100,000.
“The defendant also lives in the same building as the complainant and as the son of the super, has a concerning amount of access to the victim’s home,” Assistant District Attorney Katherine Sullivan stated in a bail application. | https://nypost.com/2022/09/04/nyc-superintendents-son-jared-magana-caught-masturbating-in-womans-apartment/ | 2022-09-04T07:57:44Z | nypost.com | control | https://nypost.com/2022/09/04/nyc-superintendents-son-jared-magana-caught-masturbating-in-womans-apartment/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
New Delhi: The Congress High Command is to decide on the candidate for the party president elections after September 10. The final decision on this would be taken after Sonia Gandhi, who is undergoing medical treatment in London, returns home.
Sonia may talk to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who was earlier sought to take up the position, yet again. Gehlot has put forth certain conditions; to allow holding the positions of the Congress president and of the Chief Minister at the same time, or to accept the person whom he recommends for the Chief Minister’s position in Rajasthan. However, these terms are not acceptable to the High Command.
The High Command expects that Sonia Gandhi can play a crucial role in convincing Gehlot to take up the position without any conditions. It will not be easy for Gehlot to turn down Sonia’s demand for the second time. Party sources revealed that Rahul Gandhi has been sticking to his stand that he is not willing to become the president of the party again. Rahul said there is no change in his stand that someone from outside the Gandhi family should be in the position. Rahul, who was with Sonia for her medical treatment, reached Delhi on Saturday.
The Congress national leadership plans to try once again to convince Rahul Gandhi to be the president. Ashok Gehlot, who argues that Rahul must become the party president, might also tell Rahul to be the candidate.
Congress rally against price rise in Delhi today
The Congress-led national rally against the rising prices is to be held in Ram Leela Maidan at 11 am today. The leaders from different states are to participate in the rally which will be led by Rahul Gandhi. K C Venugopal, general secretary (Organisation) said, this would be the biggest protest in the country against the price rise. Slamming the BJP-led central Government, Venugopal alleged that the Centre is turning a blind eye to the miseries of the common man owing to the price rise. | https://www.onmanorama.com/news/india/2022/09/04/congress-polls-sonia-to-talk-to-ashok-gehlot-again-as-rahul-gandhi-remains-reluctant.amp.html | 2022-09-04T08:03:19Z | onmanorama.com | control | https://www.onmanorama.com/news/india/2022/09/04/congress-polls-sonia-to-talk-to-ashok-gehlot-again-as-rahul-gandhi-remains-reluctant.amp.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
While Auburn’s opening week game may have been against Mercer, a win is a win.
Auburn started its season 1-0 with a 42-16 win over the Bears on Saturday.
“It means a lot to this program when you can start 1-0,” said quarterback T.J. Finley.
The major storyline for Auburn this off-season was who would be the starting quarterback.
The question of whether to play incumbent starter T.J. Finley or the athletic-transfer Robby Ashford was on the minds of just about every Auburn fan for months following the team’s loss in the Birmingham Bowl.
So, Auburn played them both.
Finley got the start against the Bears, but Ashford got his first college snap on the fourth play of the game. Ashford frequently rotated in and out with Finley, being used as the mobile quarterback between the pair.
“It was a dream come true,” Ashford said. “I would not want to play for any other team.”
Ashford did not attempt a pass in the first half, but led the team in rushing up until Auburn’s final play of the first half. Ashford finished the first half with five rushing attempts for 71 yards, with a long of 49.
Ashford’s run for 49 yards was the longest by an Auburn quarterback since 2016.
“Just being able to play football, getting out there felt surreal,” Ashford said.
Finley took care of all the passing duties in the first half. He went 8-11 for 100 yards with one touchdown and one pick. His interception set up the lone Mercer score of the first half.
Offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau drew up a play in the second quarter that featured both Finley and Ashford, giving Auburn a wrinkle that gave the Tigers all sorts of options on offense.
Finley took the snap, who tossed it to Ashford on a sweep, who then pitched it out to running back Tank Bigsby for a long gain.
“That play felt good,” Ashford said. “We were all excited about it. I gave the ball to the best running back in the nation. Whenever you can get the ball to a guy like that, it is an amazing feeling.”
Finley said that Auburn did not design the play, but rather that they stole it from a late-2000s Baylor playbook.
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“We stole the play from Baylor actually,” Finley said. “They used to run it with Robert Griffin.”
To open the second half, Finley threw a lazy interception across the middle of the field that ended his night. The next series for Auburn saw Ashford take over permanently.
Robby Ashford: “I got my first drive and I was thankful we scored on it.” pic.twitter.com/totqdULxqm
— Henry Zimmer (@henryzimmer) September 4, 2022
All Ashford did was orchestrate an 80-yard, seven play drive that culminated in running back Jarquez Hunter’s third rushing score of the night. Hunter’s three touchdowns were the first by a Tiger running back since 2019.
Fans got to see Ashford’s throwing ability on the scoring drive too, highlighted by a 56-yard pass to receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson.
“To hit my big, first college pass, it was great,” Ashford said. “It gave me confidence that I could go out there and really do this.”
Ashford was driving down the field on his second series, before lightning halted the game for almost 90 minutes.
Upon the resumption of the game, Ashford gave the ball to Bigsby who exploded to the second level and scored from 39-yards out.
Bigsby finished the game with 16 carries for 147 yards and two scores.
“We ran the ball well, effectively,” Harsin said. “We want to run the football. Overall, it starts with running the ball.”
Auburn now has a blessing and a problem on its hands. The team has two capable quarterbacks who both showed they can play and start for the team.
When asked about if he wants to be the starter, the redshirt freshman Ashford was not ready to declare himself anything in particular.
“I got an opportunity to play ball tonight and that is all I can ask for,” Ashford said. “Whether I come off the bench or am starting, as long as I am helping the team, I will keep working hard.”
Harsin did say that Finley will likely remain the team’s starter, but that Ashford will continue to play.
Auburn’s next contest is a home game against San José State (1-0). To Ashford, today was a building block for the rest of the year.
“We want to go out and represent Auburn,” Ashford said. “Today was day one.” | https://www.alexcityoutlook.com/sports/auburn-starts-season-1-0-behind-two-quarterback-offense/article_863a770e-2c0d-11ed-b738-439c285cd64a.html | 2022-09-04T08:12:09Z | alexcityoutlook.com | control | https://www.alexcityoutlook.com/sports/auburn-starts-season-1-0-behind-two-quarterback-offense/article_863a770e-2c0d-11ed-b738-439c285cd64a.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
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The Hawaii State Board of Education is in the process of developing its strategic plan for Hawaii’s public education system and has launched a Strategic Planning Engagement Survey as part of a comprehensive community engagement process.
The survey is designed to provide the public with the opportunity to share its opinions on the priority areas that the Board must focus on to improve the state’s public education system and provide insight into how well the system is currently meeting the needs of students, families, schools, and communities.
The public is invited to take the online survey, which should take no more than 10 minutes to complete, before the October 11, 2022 deadline. Results will be compiled and shared with the Board and the public in late October or early November.
In addition, the Board will conduct public community meetings throughout the state to discuss in more detail the public’s opinions and insights into how Hawaii’s public education system can improve in meeting the needs of all students. The survey is accessible by computer, phone, or tablet but can only be completed once on each device.
Diane is KITV4’s weekend evening anchor and weekday reporter. She hosts the Aging Well series on Tuesday evenings at 5, 6, and 10 p.m. She is a mother, a cat owner, and a yogi. | https://www.kitv.com/news/state-board-of-education-launches-strategic-planning-engagement-survey/article_e3e9d5ec-2c1d-11ed-a215-3bee52dcc29a.html | 2022-09-04T08:16:27Z | kitv.com | control | https://www.kitv.com/news/state-board-of-education-launches-strategic-planning-engagement-survey/article_e3e9d5ec-2c1d-11ed-a215-3bee52dcc29a.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Last week, Dee Snider, frontman for the 1980s heavy metal band Twisted Sister, made it clear how he felt about Arizona GOP gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake and other Trump-suppporting Republicans using his song “We’re Not Gonna Take It” at their campaign rallies.
cIn another tweet he told Lake: “Write your own damn song.”
That’s a pretty unequivocal message and one I firmly support. If the guy who wrote “We’re Not Gonna Take It” says his meaning is being distorted and he doesn’t want his song associated with the campaign, then by all means drop it! Write your own! Or go find a Ted Nugent song. He’ll let you use it.
Campaign songs date back to the earliest days of American politics. (Apparently they were partly designed to spread the candidate’s message to voters who couldn’t read.)
John Adams campaigned to a song called “Adams and Liberty” in the election of 1800. Abraham Lincoln used the song “Battle Cry of Freedom” during his 1864 campaign in the midst of the Civil War.
In the modern era they’re less about spreading specific messages and more about rousing and motivating voters, and propelling them on to the polls. Uptempo, driving, patriotic, anthemic and with as few specifics as possible — these are songs that create moods and stir emotional juices.
During the Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt adopted as his theme the rousing “Happy Days Are Here Again” because of its promise of better times ahead; in 1960, Frank Sinatra recorded a reworded version of “High Hopes” for John F. Kennedy’s campaign, also for its message of optimism.
“We’re Not Gonna Take It” is more in the we’re-mad-as-hell-throw-the-bums-out vein. It’s useful precisely because it’s not entirely clear what it is that Snider’s not going to take any more of.
I’m no stranger to how candidates use campaign songs. When I covered candidate Bill Clinton in 1992, I watched him bound onto the stage to a recording of Fleetwood Mac singing “don’t stop thinking about tomorrow” day after day after day for months. I still can’t listen to the song without having flashbacks.
Here’s the thing, though: Fleetwood Mac didn’t mind having its music used on Clinton’s behalf. In fact, the band’s members overcame their famously bad interpersonal relations to reunite and play “Don’t Stop” at his inauguration.
But it’s not always that straightforward and congenial.
A rebellion by recording artists seems to have been launched by Bruce Springsteen in 1984, after President Reagan said during a campaign stop in New Jersey, “America’s future rests…in the message of hope in the songs of a man so many young Americans admire — New Jersey’s own, Bruce Springsteen.”
Apparently, the Boss was not pleased about being wrapped in the embrace of a conservative septuagenarian Republican president. “Well, the president was mentioning my name in his speech the other day,” Springsteen said two days later in Pittsburgh. He went on to suggest that Reagan probably hadn’t been listening to his lyrics all that closely.
Springsteen had already denied Reagan permission to use “Born in the USA” as a campaign song (and he was right that if Reagan had actually listened to the lyrics he probably wouldn’t have wanted to).
Since then, the conflicts have kept on coming, overwhelmingly involving liberal songwriters and Republican candidates. Here are a few examples:
Bobby McFerrin wouldn’t let George H.W. Bush use “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” in 1988 because McFerrin supported Democrat Michael Dukakis for president. (Bush used “This Land Is Your Land” instead, which probably had left-wing rabble-rouser Woody Guthrie spinning in his grave.)
GOP presidential nominee Bob Dole in 1996 used “Soul Man,” altering the lyrics to make it “Dole Man” — leading to complaints from Isaac Hayes and his co-writer, who didn’t want anyone thinking they were endorsing the Republican. They threatened to sue for $10,000 every time the song was played. The campaign backed down, perhaps realizing that “Dole Man” was a pretty dumb joke.
In 2008, Jackson Browne sued Sen. John McCain for using “Running on Empty” in a TV spot. Browne won a settlement and
a public apology.
Then there’s Donald Trump. Numerous artists have asked him to please not play their music at his rallies. In 2020, when he used Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World,” for example, Young explained that he supported a certain socialist senator from Vermont. (“His initials are BS. Not his policies,” wrote Young.)
Trump also used “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” though I have no idea how he thought he’d benefit by sending such a negative no-can-do message. The indignant Rolling Stones sent him numerous cease-and-desist letters.
The legal issues are complicated. Rules for using songs in political ads are different from the rules that govern live rallies, says Lawrence Iser, the intellectual property lawyer who represented Browne against McCain. Rules for big arenas and other commercial venues are different from rules for public spaces. Rules for using snippets of songs are different from rules for using whole songs.
Often the venue or the campaign has purchased a blanket license to use a wide range of music through the performance rights organizations ASCAP and BMI, and therefore doesn’t need the creator’s permission. Still, there are situations in which artists can successfully object to the use of their work.
Often enough, though, falling back on social media and public shaming is the best recourse.
So my advice to Dee Snider is, keep on screaming, just like you do in the song. Let them know you’re not gonna take it. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/column-twisted-sisters-dee-snider-to-maga-fascists-write-your-own-damn-songs/article_b03c6f5c-2a38-11ed-b79e-ab350d259bbe.html | 2022-09-04T08:34:55Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/column-twisted-sisters-dee-snider-to-maga-fascists-write-your-own-damn-songs/article_b03c6f5c-2a38-11ed-b79e-ab350d259bbe.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
At critical junctures in their histories, political parties reassess their platforms, methods and the qualities and values they desire their politicians to embody. The Jan. 6 coup attempt that intended to keep President Donald Trump in office illegally was such a moment for the GOP, which ever since has been remaking itself into an illiberal entity with dizzying speed.
The Republican Party is expunging the remaining democratic elements from its cadres and political culture with great vigor. It is embracing home-grown extremists, forcing out moderates, threatening dissenters and aligning itself with foreign autocrats like Hungary’s Viktor Orban.
Democratic frameworks are of little use to explain this tragic trajectory, or why the GOP has supported Donald Trump through two impeachments, a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election, the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and now possible violations of the Espionage Act.
We must look to authoritarian party dynamics as they have unfolded around the world to understand the Republicans’ journey out of democracy.
In autocracies, ruling parties become personal tools of the leader, and loyalty to the head of state, rather than expertise, is the most prized political quality. Those loyalty demands surge when the leader faces legal challenges or threats to his power. After the 2016 failed military coup against him, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan didn’t just purge the armed forces, he also forced the resignations of six mayors, all of whom were prominent members of his Justice and Development Party, or AKP.
Even in democratic contexts, when an autocratic-minded leader is under investigation, loyalty becomes paramount and the party’s time and resources are channeled into defending him. Party functionaries portray the leader as a victim of a “witch hunt” and smear journalists, prosecutors and judges, as Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party did with regularity during the former Italian prime minister’s many corruption trials, and as the GOP did during Trump’s two impeachment trials.
The “Big Lie,” which claims that Trump and not Joe Biden won the 2020 election, is an outgrowth of these authoritarian party dynamics. Institutionalized as GOP dogma, the Big Lie is now a “party line” that politicians must espouse to gain endorsements as candidates or to remain in good standing.
The most ambitious Republican politicians made themselves bearers of the Big Lie early on. In November 2020, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared proudly that his state had no electoral fraud. Just one year later, he announced the formation of an Office of Election Crimes and Security and has already arrested 20 people.
The Big Lie has traction because it lets any GOP politician become a mini-Trump, denying certified election results to get to power or to try to stay there illegally. No wonder election deniers now make up nearly two-thirds of Republican candidates for state and federal jobs that have authority over voting contests.
Autocrats have long encouraged the lawless and the corrupt to populate party and state institutions. Twentieth century Italian dictator Benito Mussolini’s Cabinet and his Fascist Party bureaucracy were full of former Blackshirts who had killed liberals and leftists. Forza Italia politician Marcello Dell’Utri, who was Berlusconi’s right-hand man, was convicted of Mafia association in 2004 but stayed a senator. In 2019, national legislators in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s India included 11 individuals who were involved in murder cases and an additional 10 who had been convicted of serious crimes.
A similar frightening dynamic is now developing in America as the GOP cultivates politicians with the right credentials for illiberal governance.
Republican campaign ads and speeches feature party hopefuls wielding shotguns or assault rifles and spouting fiery rhetoric. In the cases of Dr. Mehmet Oz, in Pennsylvania, and J.R. Majewski, in Ohio, such ads helped earn them primary victories.
Local and state GOP politicians have long had ties with extremist groups. In Colorado, Oregon and other states, Republican officials have used members of militia groups as security for public events. Now these extremists increasingly are the party officials. A 2022 study counted 1 in 5 GOP state and local officials affiliated with groups such as the Oath Keepers.
For Arizona state Rep. Mark Finchem, publicizing membership in the Oath Keepers paid off: He will be the GOP candidate for secretary of state in Arizona in November. In Florida, Proud Boys members now hold seats on the Miami-Dade Republican Executive Committee. And dozens of individuals linked to Trump’s rally on Jan. 6 or the ensuing breach of the Capitol felt empowered to run for office, some with Trump’s endorsement.
Once unleashed, such lawless energies can be hard to tame, which is why so many authoritarian parties end up eating their own, their ranks devastated through periodic purges. The GOP is in such a phase now. Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney won her GOP primary two years ago with 73% of the vote; today she is a pariah. Just two of the 10 GOP House members who voted to impeach Trump in 2021 will remain in office, as befits the taboo on showing disloyalty to the leader.
Though Trump’s leader cult remains robust, multiple investigations make his political future increasingly uncertain. And in a sense Trump may no longer be necessary. The Republicans have normalized authoritarian party dynamics to an extent that other autocratic-minded leaders — say, DeSantis — could easily step in. The GOP is now a party ready to govern through illiberal methods, regardless of which Republican may be in the White House in 2024. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/commentary-look-to-authoritarian-parties-abroad-to-see-where-the-gop-is-headed/article_0780e738-2a3a-11ed-9bc5-bb5e3a3f0220.html | 2022-09-04T08:35:01Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/commentary-look-to-authoritarian-parties-abroad-to-see-where-the-gop-is-headed/article_0780e738-2a3a-11ed-9bc5-bb5e3a3f0220.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The world, we are often told, is now defined by great power competition, where states like China and Russia are either seeking to overthrow the so-called rules-based international order or stealthily working within the system to change it to their benefit.
The Biden administration’s foreign policy strategy is prefaced in large measure on the great power paradigm, and senior U.S. officials like Secretary of State Antony Blinken frequently invoke the theme during their remarks.
Part of maintaining healthy great power relations, however, is ensuring states like the U.S., China and Russia communicate with one another. The diverging policies, conflicting world views and multiple grievances may not be resolved, but the tension and misunderstandings can at least be mitigated.
Unfortunately, this communication is breaking down — and what’s worse, the parties don’t seem especially concerned about it. The U.S., China and Russia are all contributing to the complications in their own way.
Take the U.S.-China relationship, arguably the most important on the planet. With both countries comprising approximately more than 40% of the world’s wealth and over half of its total military expenditure, a hypothetical conflict between these two powers would cause catastrophic material and economic damage in terms of lost lives. It’s a primary reason why President Joe Biden has been so insistent in establishing what he calls “guardrails” in the bilateral relationship, a goal he reiterated in his November 2021 virtual summit with President Xi Jinping as well as in their hourslong phone call last month.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin shares the same objective. The former general used a session with Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue this June, in part, to build a personal rapport.
Yet House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s August visit to Taiwan (followed shortly by another U.S. congressional delegation to the island) seems to have spoiled U.S.-China dialogue on multiple issues of mutual concern, at least for the time being.
As expected, the Chinese Communist Party reacted to Pelosi’s trip, the first from a U.S. speaker in a quarter-century, with anger and intensity. In addition to the multiday exercises in six separate locations around the self-ruled island, Beijing canceled or suspended eight separate working groups with Washington on subjects ranging from counternarcotics to defense cooperation.
U.S. officials couldn’t get their Chinese counterparts on the phone during the drills either. While the White House called China’s aggressive actions after Pelosi’s visit a “manufactured crisis,” Beijing clearly believed such maneuvers were necessary to both register disapproval and remind Washington that the People’s Liberation Army can squeeze Taiwan at any time.
Bilateral contact between the U.S. and Russia has been just as fraught, particularly since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in late February.
Once again, President Biden began his tenure with the right goal in mind: forging a “stable and predictable relationship” with Moscow. While Russia is far weaker compared with its Soviet predecessor, it is still the world’s largest nuclear weapons power, with more than 6,200 nuclear warheads in its stockpile. Russia is also a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, which means that any initiative Washington wants to achieve through the council would need Russian support.
Events have gotten in the way. The brutal war in Ukraine has made the stable and predictable ties Biden once aimed for practically impossible. It’s now highly unlikely the U.S. and Russia will ever get back to a businesslike relationship as long as Russian troops remain on Ukrainian soil — and judging by Russia’s preparations for an apparent annexation of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, the prospect of a U.S.-Russia detente gets more far-fetched by the day.
Communication between U.S. and Russian officials is sparse. Biden’s last call with Putin was in early February, before the invasion. Blinken conversed with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in late July for the first time in nearly six months. When Blinken and Lavrov were in the same room during the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Cambodia last week, both avoided one another and the two left without speaking.
Even strategic stability, the one major issue Washington and Moscow sought to silo from other disputes, is hanging on by a thread. The White House suspended arms control talks with Russia shortly after Russian forces bombarded Ukraine, and the Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Aug. 8 that it will no longer permit U.S. weapons inspectors to visit Russian facilities as specified in the New START accord, the last bilateral U.S.-Russia strategic arms accord in existence.
There are hawkish elements in Washington, Beijing and Moscow who aren’t especially worried about these developments. Many on Capitol Hill, for instance, believe U.S. policy on both China and Russia should be tougher than it currently is, whether it includes implementing secondary sanctions on the Russian energy sector or granting Taiwan non-NATO ally status.
However, it would be highly irresponsible if the potential risks of reduced diplomatic contact were ignored or glossed over. As Biden said during his November phone call with Xi, competition should not lead to conflict. But it’s hard to envision the world’s major powers averting it without pragmatic communication. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/commentary-the-us-russia-and-china-need-to-talk-they-re-not-and-that-s/article_dd087e7a-2a3a-11ed-b167-6ba31ba4fd02.html | 2022-09-04T08:35:07Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/commentary-the-us-russia-and-china-need-to-talk-they-re-not-and-that-s/article_dd087e7a-2a3a-11ed-b167-6ba31ba4fd02.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Most parents have probably been through an early morning dramatic performance or two from a child who doesn’t feel like going to school.
“My stomach hurts — my head, too. Plus my arm is sore and I can’t find my black socks …”
But the case falls apart quickly when the child can’t produce any evidence to support why today just isn’t the day to have to trudge off to class.
Maybe that’s why Gov. Jay Inslee doesn’t seem particularly sympathetic to the letter he recently received from the Yakima County Commission. The July 18 letter asks the governor to rescind his October 2021 order, which requires state workers and school volunteers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face dismissal.
The board paints a dire picture of the pain Yakima County is enduring because of the rule: “Essential services ... have been compromised in their ability to respond to public need, due to lack of staffing,” commissioners lament.
Problem is, that’s not exactly the case.
For example, the 15 school districts in Yakima County have lost a combined total of five employees since the vaccination rules went up. Just five.
The story’s the same for other agencies affected by the mandate — several of which now employ even more workers than before Inslee’s order took effect.
A vacant position or two is business as usual for most organizations. It’s a reach to say the vaccination rules “compromise” anybody’s ability to deliver services.
Like the rest of the country, most public agencies and private businesses in Yakima County are struggling to find and retain good employees.
Is that because of vaccination requirements? No. It’s because we’re in the midst of a national labor shortage that’s the result of a number of global economic factors that are unrelated to COVID safety rules.
Inslee’s order doesn’t apply to any of the other 49 states, yet they’re experiencing the same problems we are.
In addition to the perceived staffing problem, the commissioners’ letter lists three other reasons why they think the governor should lift his order. Those include arguments that vaccines don’t offer long-term protection, that new strains of COVID are becoming milder and that natural immunity seems to be just as effective as vaccines. Besides, the letter argues, treatments are increasingly available to people who become infected.
Again, not exactly. While there’s a grain of truth in much of what the commissioners are saying, they’re jumping to some conclusions that simply don’t hold water.
Look, we give the commissioners credit for standing up for Yakima County. That’s their job, and we appreciate their advocacy.
But they embarrass themselves — and the rest of us — when they stake their arguments on half-truths and exaggerations.
They sound a lot like that kid who’s trying to get out of school by making up vague and inconsistent symptoms. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/editorials/opinion-flimsy-facts-weaken-yakima-countys-vaccine-story/article_ec13e8c8-2a2b-11ed-a7b6-4b35facb9836.html | 2022-09-04T08:35:13Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/editorials/opinion-flimsy-facts-weaken-yakima-countys-vaccine-story/article_ec13e8c8-2a2b-11ed-a7b6-4b35facb9836.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
To the editor — Government’s purpose is national security and infrastructure to assure individuals collectively thrive. Focus on your family. No Bidenista's policy or mandate improves your family, helps your daily routine or empowers you to thrive. Affirmation policies completely disassociated with reality fail. E.g., solar panels cannot replace nuclear power.
America First policy provided lower taxes, national security, a reliable economy and universal daily opportunities while removing regulations that choke American success. Those who love, trust. In short, three years ago you were better off (by results) because of capably implemented MAGA policy.
Biden has authorized the equivalent of World War II’s victory to help only the connected rich. Neither you nor me.
Measure Biden’s “successes.” Include his unAmerican thuggery: 87,000 added IRS intruders. For you? Climate change hysteria: UN formula, 100-year impact? Nada. Your family benefits? None.
Heed Biden’s disasters: Afghanistan; lost energy independence resulting in systemic inflation; overspending and rampant national lawless chaos. International wars, potential nuclear oblivion compared to Trump’s promotion of world peace. No respect.
Results? You, your family and your country actually damaged by Biden’s inane policies. You feel it. Vote against Biden, top-to-bottom, for our future.
WALT WEGENER
Toppenish | https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/letter-biden-policies-pale-next-to-maga-accomplishments/article_6999f0fc-2a37-11ed-afac-3b8c81298786.html | 2022-09-04T08:35:19Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/letter-biden-policies-pale-next-to-maga-accomplishments/article_6999f0fc-2a37-11ed-afac-3b8c81298786.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The 9/11 hijackers and Osama bin Laden, all deservedly dead, planned a coordinated attack with multiple strikes, killing thousands. They made no distinction between victims at the World Trade Center or at the Pentagon or at the likely target of the Capitol, which was saved when heroic passengers brought down Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
So why does the health program set up by Congress under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for responders and survivors suffering from serious and too often fatal maladies from exposure to the toxic fallout from the attack — a program that this column has championed for years — exclude Department of Defense personnel, civilian and uniform, if they incurred their 9/11 illnesses at the Pentagon and Shanksville?
Be it an oversight or a drafting error, the implications are clear, as Mike McAuliff explains in the Daily News: Military personnel who aided the rescue and recovery at the Pentagon and in Shanksville and were sickened with cancer and other diseases are not eligible to have Uncle Sam pick up their medical treatment. Soldiers and sailors and Marines and DOD civilians who were exposed downtown are in the program, as are other non-military people, such as firefighters and cops, who were exposed at the Pentagon and Shanksville.
The people spotlighted in the paper, Nate Coward and a former Pentagon employee named Jacqueline, are just two, but there are more and Congress must extend the 9/11 health program to include them. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand are already working on the problem, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer must use his considerable clout to get it done this year, along with the full funding of the health program, which is running short of resources.
There are famous images of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld helping evacuate people from the Pentagon on 9/11. Because of the law’s quirk, Rumsfeld, who died last summer from cancer, would not have been allowed to join the 9/11 health program. Fix it. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/other-views-defense-personnel-should-be-covered-by-the-9-11-health-program/article_302a5bec-2a3f-11ed-bb81-03f710b691f4.html | 2022-09-04T08:35:31Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/other-views-defense-personnel-should-be-covered-by-the-9-11-health-program/article_302a5bec-2a3f-11ed-bb81-03f710b691f4.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Sometimes people can lose their self-esteem because of their own mistakes; they just need to know what to do to change what they're doing and fix them.
So, today I am going to be the person who (speaking metaphorically, of course), slaps you across the face to explain some of the reasons why you might be ruining your own self-esteem.
Do you scroll through social media?
If you want to become more insecure, go right on and spend hours scrolling through your phone and wondering why you aren’t as good as the people on the screen.
With the fast-paced world we live in, and accessibility to many various forms of social media, we have an easier time than any earlier generation to compare ourselves to others. If you’re one of those people who is prone to those comparisons, the worst thing you can do is scroll through social media.
You’ll get these thoughts in your head like: “Wow, she’s younger than me and she’s already that gorgeous.” Or: “I wish I were as tall as them.” Or: “Why can’t I live in a house like that?” And then you can find yourself in this spiral of self-loathing.
You need to realize that everyone is different, and it’s OK to be that way. We’re supposed to celebrate our differences, so it doesn’t do anyone any good to get hung up on what you aren’t rather than what you are.
Do you shop fast-fashion?
Another great way to lower your self-esteem is to shop at mainstream clothing stores. If you’re in the women's clothing section, you get the wonderful opportunity of playing “What size am I really?” because each store is so different size-wise.
If you’re really lucky you might get a store where “one size fits all” and then you get to feel terrible about yourself for not fitting the size. Sometimes you're a small, but in other stores you might need a large. Sometimes you need jeans in a size 6 and sometimes you need a 10. Every brand is different, but it doesn’t make it any less damaging to grab a size you think you’ll need and actually have to go back for a different one.
Stores like Brandy-Melville sell really cute clothes, but they only cater to stick-skinny girls, and they sell everything in a size small or label it as “one size.” You can’t tell me that people look at that and don’t feel a little sad that they can't fit into those clothes.
One way to worry less about sizes and societal beauty standards is through thrift shopping. Thrifting is a get-what-you-get kinda deal. If it doesn’t fit, oh well, it was just bad luck. Thrifting allows you to pay more attention to actual items rather than if the store has your specific size.
Do you hang out with toxic people?
With toxic people you don’t even have to go through the work of comparing yourself to others, they’ll just do it for you, slowly sucking the life out of you.
Cut them off. If someone is making you feel anything other than better than you were before you met them, you don’t need them in your life. It can be hard to make that cut. Maybe you don’t like confrontation, or maybe it’s more convenient to just keep them around. But, honestly, in the long run it's not. You deserve better.
Do you apologize when it isn’t needed?
Nothing is going to make you more meek or small than over-apologizing and letting people walk all over you. You can’t always be the one apologizing, especially when it’s not your fault. Once you realize you’re not always the problem, you’ll feel a million times better.
Do you get hung up on what others think of you?
Constantly being overly self-aware and stressing about how others perceive you is a mentally draining, surefire way to ruin your self-esteem. Obsessing over every interaction you have afterward is not the way to go about things. I know it's hard to not over-analyze situations, but you would be so much better off caring less. Who cares what other people think of you? Do you remember every detail of how someone acts any time they interact with you? I doubt it. People have too many things to worry about than if you tripped or said something that led to a few seconds of awkward silence.
So, now that you know how to ruin your self-esteem, are you going to continue to do it? I certainly hope not.
• Gracie Miller is a 2022 graduate of Eisenhower High School. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/unleashed/columnists/how-to-lose-your-self-esteem-a-guide-on-what-not-to-do/article_ec0aade8-b4ec-5847-b26b-db528f57210f.html | 2022-09-04T08:35:38Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/unleashed/columnists/how-to-lose-your-self-esteem-a-guide-on-what-not-to-do/article_ec0aade8-b4ec-5847-b26b-db528f57210f.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
On Feb. 27, 2015, Vladimir Putin’s top political rival was shot and killed outside the Kremlin. His name was Boris Nemtsov, a Russian governor whose Western capitalist ideals had earned him visits from figures like the U.K.'s Margret Thatcher and a presidential endorsement from Boris Yeltsin himself.
The podcast "Another Russia" debuted in July and is co-hosted by Nemtsov’s daughter, Zhanna Nemtsova, and former U.S. deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes. Rhodes and Nemtsova combine knowledge of global policy with personal experience to tell the thrilling story of a young Russian politician who rose to power in the wake of the Soviet Union’s downfall.
In each installment of the half-hour podcasts, listeners learn about the life of Boris Nemtsov, a man who gained mass national popularity and at one time was the favorite to replace Yeltsin as president of Russia.
Nemtsov's story is intertwined with the tale of post-Soviet Russia, a time of turmoil as plutocrats became oligarchs, controlling the media and taking control of the political arena. Nemtsov opposed these oligarchs and the politicians who enabled their rise to power.
The podcast details this opposition and its consequences, as Russian-owned media outlets defamed Nemtsov on air in an attempt to bring candidates like Putin to the forefront of the next presidential election. As is clear now, these attempts worked to bring power to Putin.
Nemtsova and Rhodes show how after the election, Nemtsov put continued pressure on Putin’s Soviet-era ambitions. In the 2000s and 2010s, Nemtsov faced multiple arrests for his continued fight against Russian corruption.
Nemtsov’s battle for another Russia, free from authoritarianism, ended with his death in 2015. But his dreams are still alive. Nemtsova and Rhodes lay out those dreams, and how they have morphed into modern-day movements.
"Another Russia" is a top-tier podcast in terms of production value, with a clear and engaging story, an original background music score, fantastically knowledgeable hosts, and educational content. "Another Russia" can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, RSS, iHeart, and Stitcher.
• Whit Peters is an incoming junior at Selah High School. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/unleashed/reviews/another-russia-podcast-offers-listeners-insights-into-putin-and-a-politician-who-opposed-him/article_5c7d8adb-ef20-50f3-9cf3-b514bda01f26.html | 2022-09-04T08:35:44Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/unleashed/reviews/another-russia-podcast-offers-listeners-insights-into-putin-and-a-politician-who-opposed-him/article_5c7d8adb-ef20-50f3-9cf3-b514bda01f26.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Song
Taylor Swift’s new song “Carolina” seems to have been in every promotion and trailer for the film “Where the Crawdads Sing.” Written specifically for the movie, “Carolina” is a slow, ominous ballad. Swift only used instruments that were available in the 1950s and recorded the track in one take, mimicking how it would have been done during the period in which the film took place.
I listened to “Carolina” before I went to the theater and saw the film in which it is featured. I wasn’t a huge fan at first. But once I had seen the movie, I realized that the song’s lyrics flawlessly embody the story told in “Where the Crawdads Sing." If I had to describe “Carolina” in one word, I would choose "haunting." It gives me chills. And it’s been in my head since the credits rolled for “Where the Crawdads Sing.”
— Jillian Strother, 11th grade, Riverside Christian School
Summer eating
Klondike bars are a summer delicacy. With the crunchy chocolate outside and the creamy ice cream inside, it’s like the bar was made for warm summer evenings after a long day of swimming and having fun. I recently found them again at a local grocery store after years of not having them, and I’m glad I did. It was nice to rekindle my love of these little frozen treats.
But the real question is: What would you do for a Klondike bar? How far would you go? Would you go as far as shaving your eyebrow off? Or maybe listening to the "Baby Shark" song on repeat for a week? Would you eat a worm? Or ask someone on a date to only talk in meows? Could you even give up watching your favorite TV show? Luckily, you don’t have to do any of these outlandish things. You can just hop over to your favorite grocery store, unwrap the silvery foil, and take a big bite. I know these treats will make what remains of your summer a good time.
— Maria Jacobson, Highland High School, 12th grade | https://www.yakimaherald.com/unleashed/reviews/off-the-chain-unleasheds-picks-for-labor-day-weekend/article_e319eb84-4601-57c8-bb23-1b35aa05ca33.html | 2022-09-04T08:35:50Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/unleashed/reviews/off-the-chain-unleasheds-picks-for-labor-day-weekend/article_e319eb84-4601-57c8-bb23-1b35aa05ca33.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
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Vinyl records are now part of Fergus Falls Public Library’s collection of circulating materials. Along with records for checkout, the library has added a listening station and a portable record player for checkout.
The vinyl comeback started several years ago and we knew we wanted to be a part of the return to vinyl partly because the sound quality is so superior to other recording formats.
The vinyl craze has spread across generations. During a school field trip, an elementary student and vinyl enthusiast enquired as to what genres of music we would be adding to the collection. I was happy to respond, “all of them.”
The library received a donation of more than 600 records that had belonged to Virginia Adams. Sam and Ginny loved all genres of music and collected recordings for decades. Sam and Ginny were ardent supporters of the library. The Adams family’s incredibly generous donation provided a special way to start building the record collection. Albums we were unable to add to the collection, were sold, and those funds have helped to purchase new records.
Volunteers Mark Oyloe, Brooke Barsness and Richard Barsness spent several days sorting records into music genres and determining the condition of each record. Mark Solie was kind enough to share his knowledge of classic music in helping us to organize the classical collection.
Funds from an anonymous donor allowed for the purchase of three turntables; one for public use in the library, one for library programs, and one for checkout. Headphones and a Bluetooth speaker were also purchased. We wanted to purchase a quality turntable that would positively impact the listeners’ experience. Andrew Millard provided valuable input on selecting a turntable and necessary components. Andrew and his daughter Evie created step-by-step instructions, with images, for using the turntable. For many of us, playing a record is old school. However, many people have never before used a record player. The first vinyl to spin on the new turntable was a Blondie album.
We needed a cabinet for the new turntable, so we contacted local furniture designer and builder Brian Christensen of BC Woodshop to help us out. Brian created the perfect turntable stand for our listening station.
Brian’s furniture is an exquisite example of his craftsmanship. It is a stunning addition to the library. The turntable cabinet was also purchased with donated funds.
The library is in the process of cataloging the records. Cataloger, Kia Donais, has a goal of cataloging ten albums a week. The first album to get cataloged was “The Original Soundtrack to the Motion Picture Grease.”
My personal experience with records at the library takes me back to the Fergus Falls Public Library in the late 1970s and early 80s. The listening station looked out onto Union and was on the north side of the entrance. I would listen to vinyl records while waiting for my mom to pick me up. The record collection at the library was my first exposure to Broadway Musicals. It was like I had discovered a new planet.
The Friends of the Library have contributed funds to purchase newly pressed vinyl records. Youth services librarian, Arielle McCune, is responsible for building part of the collection and is in the process of ordering new albums. Arielle shared, “I grew up listening to vinyl with my mom. She had Whitney Houston, Eddy Grant and the soundtrack to ‘The Big Chill’ on heavy rotation. I have a record player at home and I love sharing that experience with my children. I’m excited to be part of expanding the vinyl collection at the library!”
The vinyl listening station is located by the west-facing windows near the teen area of the library. Listeners can enjoy the scenic-view while discovering new music genres or listening to old favorites.
The library staff and board are grateful for the community members who helped bring this project to fruition. | https://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/lifestyle/tune-into-the-new-vinyl-listening-station-at-the-library/article_0195c668-2a35-11ed-8fac-3f4e18937d1b.html | 2022-09-04T08:37:51Z | fergusfallsjournal.com | control | https://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/lifestyle/tune-into-the-new-vinyl-listening-station-at-the-library/article_0195c668-2a35-11ed-8fac-3f4e18937d1b.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
With cooling temperatures and first football games calling in the fall season to come, the first day of school is on many student’s minds and more than a few parent’s calendars.
Sept. 6 is the official first day of school for Fergus Falls Public Schools and with a new year brings new programs and procedures to be aware of for the coming term.
All high school students will be assigned Chromebooks for the coming school year and while students will be able to bring in their owns devices to use on assigned work, all tests that are given digitally by teachers must be completed on one of the provided laptops.
“The cell phone and earbud expectations are pretty simple,” the principle of FF High School Mark Anderson explains. “All cell phones, earbuds and headphones need to be put away when they walk into a teacher’s classroom – they are not to be used unless given permission by the teacher.”
Anderson notes that if a student’s phone is seen or heard during class, they must put their phone in a designated box and will receive the device at the end of class. Students who need to go to the restroom, counseling or the nurse’s office will also need to place their cell phone in said box and will have it returned to them at the end of the hour.
“Attendance is a major concern of ours,” Anderson says. “All students are expected to be in class on time with all needed materials.”
Anderson explains that students who are tardy to assigned classes must report to the main office for a pass and a conversation with the administration on why they are late. He also mentions that no food or drinks are allowed outside of the cafeteria for the new school term and parking passes for students with licenses is $20 for the year.
“It is my sincere hope that your children have an amazing experience in the Fergus Falls school district during the coming year,” superintendent Jeff Drake says. “May our partnership fully meet the needs of all children by creating an environment that allows them to reach their full potential – as always, thank you for your trust and support.”
More information concerning the finer details of required school materials, athletic schedules and staff expectations for students can be found here: fergusotters.org.
Discuss the news on NABUR, a place to have local conversations The Neighborhood Alliance for Better Understanding and Respect ✔ A site just for our local community ✔ Focused on facts, not misinformation ✔ Free for everyone | https://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/news/fergus-falls-public-schools-get-set-for-another-school-year/article_12d8a7d8-2af8-11ed-92f8-730aa1f9fe15.html | 2022-09-04T08:37:57Z | fergusfallsjournal.com | control | https://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/news/fergus-falls-public-schools-get-set-for-another-school-year/article_12d8a7d8-2af8-11ed-92f8-730aa1f9fe15.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
I have no desire to hurt anyone, ever! This is not true of everyone. I would like to have a defensive weapon, to temporarily incapacitate a full-grown man so he can’t hurt me. The generic solution, pepper spray, is effective, temporary, lightweight and you can carry it on campus. I am severely allergic. We tried to get a taser for me, but you can’t carry one on campus. Ordinarily, I just bring my dogs. No one messes with the girl who is walking multiple, well-behaved, large dogs, but they can’t come to class with me.
I get why. No one wants a mass shooting in their classroom. No one wants to live in fear of some depraved man, bent on destruction. I’m not advocating for AR-15s or other large weapons on campus.
Mainstream says to restrict weapon carrying and purchase. Evil intent can, will and has gotten around restrictions. Restrictions, like a lock, keep rule-followers honest. It is not rule-followers who assault or kill.
Mass shootings are almost exclusively perpetrated by men. There have only been two mass shootings in the last decade in which women were the aggressor.This stands in sharp contrast to the thousands of male mass shooters.
Biological women’s brains work differently from biological men’s brains. We have different hormones and motivations that make women significantly less likely to commit violent crimes, including mass shootings.
A woman who has had a thorough background check and is properly trained in the use of a taser is extremely unlikely to do harm, and definitely less likely than a man. Glaringly, violent crimes are more likely to be committed against women.
Given this evidence, it is worth looking into allowing nascent women, who are comfortable, to carry small, short-distance weapons, such as tasers or knives, and, in an emergency, using them on campus. A small number of women, enabled to temporarily stop a full-grown man, would create a group of armed individuals who are very unlikely to cause any harm, but, should the occasion arise, are prepared to protect themselves and others around them.
Discuss the news on NABUR, a place to have local conversations The Neighborhood Alliance for Better Understanding and Respect ✔ A site just for our local community ✔ Focused on facts, not misinformation ✔ Free for everyone | https://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/opinion/feeling-safe-in-your-surroundings/article_f60475a0-2a30-11ed-94ec-9bc3441daa48.html | 2022-09-04T08:38:03Z | fergusfallsjournal.com | control | https://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/opinion/feeling-safe-in-your-surroundings/article_f60475a0-2a30-11ed-94ec-9bc3441daa48.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat has issued an update on the future of the town's Post Office after it was removed from the High Street. Following redevelopment plans drawn up by the landlord, the WHSmith store - in which the Post Office was housed - closed its doors on July 30.
Many residents were concerned about the prospect of the High Street being without such a "vital" service. However, the council was quick to swoop in and has now opened a temporary site in Tonbridge Castle.
It's open from 9am to 5pm on Mondays to Thursdays, and 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays. It is also open on Saturdays from 9am through to 12.30pm, however it will remain closed on Sundays.
READ MORE: Tonbridge WHSmith store to close meaning High Street will be without 'vital' Post Office
But the site will remain as a temporary fix while a permanent solution is sought. In an update issued on his Facebook page, local MP Tom Tugendhat revealed three franchise partners have expressed their interest in housing the Post Office.
"I've been at a public meeting for the Post Office in Tonbridge," he told his followers in a video message. "Many of you will know that the Post Office pulled out when they lost their premises in WHSmith only about a month ago.
"Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council responded very quickly. There's a temporary Post Office in the castle and I was very pleased that we got two representatives from Post Office Ltd. into the Angel Centre this evening (September 2).
"We had a couple hundred people turn up asking lots of questions, and what I took away from it was some good news that there are already three franchise partners who may be interested in sharing with the Post Office very soon."
Read next:
- Controlled explosion carried out in Tonbridge after hand grenade found
Man stabbed to death in Tonbridge named and pictured as two teenagers charged with murder
Warning signs of deadly heatstroke in dogs: drooling, drowsiness and vomiting
Old £20 and £50 notes must be spent this month before they are no longer legal tender
Five arrested after brawl outside Wetherspoons in Canterbury city centre | https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/tom-tugendhat-issues-tonbridge-post-7544412 | 2022-09-04T08:41:42Z | kentlive.news | control | https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/tom-tugendhat-issues-tonbridge-post-7544412 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
It was just after 4 a.m. when an attack that would shock the world began — quietly.
Eight men in tracksuits hopped the fence at Munich's Olympic Village, carrying with them Kalashnikov rifles and grenades in duffel bags.
They were members of the group Black September — an affiliate of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Their mission was to hold Israeli athletes hostage and demand the release of 236 prisoners: 234 in Israel and the two leaders of the West German Baader-Meinhof terrorist group.
Their mission failed. About 20 hours after it began, five of the hostage-takers would be dead, along with 11 members of Israel's Olympic team and a West German policeman.
But the Munich massacre of Sept. 5 to 6, 1972, would have lasting repercussions on an international scale, waking up Western governments to the threat of terrorism, showing the power of live broadcast and setting the stage for future violence.
"The cheerful Games"
Munich 1972 was supposed to be the opposite of Berlin 1936. Nearly three decades after the Holocaust, West German authorities went to pains to try to erase symbolism of the country's Nazi past. The light blue Olympic emblem, "Radiant Munich," as the International Olympic Committee notes, symbolized "light, freshness, generosity." The event's motto was "the cheerful Games."
"They wanted to come across as playful, as laid back, congenial. Not a police state," says David Clay Large, a senior fellow at the Institute of European Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and the author of Munich 1972: Tragedy, Terror, and Triumph at the Olympic Games.
Authorities were aware of security threats, but they were coming from different directions. There was the Red Army Faction, Andreas Baader and Ulrike Meinhof's leftist group, which had carried out bombings in West Germany that year. The far-right National Democratic Party of Germany was a concern, as were other groups, Large says.
Despite warnings, the idea of a Palestinian group carrying out an attack was not "at the top of their list for possible dangers," Large says.
The Games had already gone on for 10 days without a serious incident, and security officials had let down their guard. The gunmen, having already scouted the location, easily slipped into the building that housed the Israelis. They knew which apartment to go to.
Black September ended up with nine hostages, after killing wrestling coach Moshe Weinberg and weightlifter Yossef Romano, who had both fought back against the attackers.
The group demanded the release of 236 prisoners, most of them Palestinians in Israeli custody, and threatened to kill hostages otherwise.
As West German authorities scrambled to figure out how to respond that morning, the Games resumed as normal. It was at least seven hours into the hostage situation by the time events were halted.
The hostage crisis was viewed globally as it unfolded
When television networks finally switched to covering the hostage crisis, it created the aspect of the attack most notable today: It was the first time a terrorist incident had reached a global audience during a live broadcast.
At the Olympic press center, 11 monitors showed the ongoing athletic events while another three were trained on the building where the Israelis were being held hostage. Dave Marash was a CBS Radio reporter at the time. "Those simultaneous images flickering on those monitors struck me as the most incongruous, most inappropriate, most flat surreal visual memory of my life," he told NPR in 2002.
The hours dragged on as West German authorities worked to buy time. Their response was uncoordinated. Security was in the hands of state authorities, not federal ones. They had no expertise in dealing with hostage situations. Calling in the army wasn't an option — West Germany's postwar constitution limited the domestic use of the army during peacetime.
"What they tried to do was negotiate their way out. That was their only recourse," Large says. But the West Germans had no way to give Black September the main thing it wanted: the release of the prisoners. Israel's prime minister, Golda Meir, said no. She told the West Germans they were responsible for getting the hostages out.
The West Germans came up with a plan. Black September was told it would be able to take a plane with its hostages to Cairo. On the plane would be West German police disguised as members of the plane's crew, who would overpower the terrorists.
Late that evening, the gunmen and their hostages were flown by helicopters to the Fürstenfeldbruck air base outside Munich, where the plane was waiting.
Significant problems immediately became apparent. The police officers who were supposed to be on the plane backed out, saying it was too dangerous. Plan B was to use snipers to kill the hostage-takers as they emerged from the helicopters and tried to board the plane. But the police had no expert snipers and no proper equipment. And they didn't know how many Black September members were in the group.
"The attempt to pick off these commandos turned out to be an absolute fiasco," Large says. "They ended up shooting five of them, five of the eight commandos, but not before the commandos then killed in cold blood all of the remaining nine hostages."
A West German policeman was also killed in the exchange of gunfire. Three of the Black September members escaped but were soon captured.
Initial reports coming out of the air base said the rescue was a success. It wasn't until early on Sept. 6 that officials confirmed that all the Israelis had been killed.
ABC sportscaster Jim McKay, who had anchored coverage throughout the day, made the announcement to world audiences at 3:24 a.m.: "They're all gone."
New exposure for acts of terrorism and the Palestinian cause
About 900 million people are believed to have watched the hostage crisis on television.
"From start to finish, it was the first time terrorists had hijacked a televised event and turned it into their own drama," says Bruce Hoffman, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations who has studied terrorism for decades.
In 1968, about 11 international terrorist groups were operating. A few years after the Munich massacre, that number was more than 50, Hoffman says. A large reason for that was the global attention the attack received.
"I think other aggrieved persons saw terrorism as a vehicle to attract attention to themselves and their cause and also coerce governments. I mean, you had these small nonstate actors ... with limited weaponry and constrained capacity for violence, forcing governments to deal with them," Hoffman says.
The impetus for the attack, of course, did not come out of nowhere, having its origins in the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a conflict between Jordan and the PLO.
The incident, though horrific, gave new attention to the Palestinian cause. More than a million Palestinians had been refugees since Israel's creation in 1948 and the wars that followed, but global powers had been largely ignoring their plight.
Khaled Elgindy, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and the director of its Program on Palestine and Palestinian-Israeli Affairs, notes that the U.S. and the Soviets were preoccupied with the Cold War.
The Munich attack, as well as other terrorism connected to the PLO, "was really a double-edged sword," he says. "It brought attention to the Palestinian issue, but it's mostly negative attention."
He says it was likely part of a two-pronged approach by the PLO: active diplomacy combined with militant attacks that were carried out with plausible deniability.
"And these kinds of violent attacks actually succeed in putting the issue on the international agenda," Elgindy says. From there, the PLO notched two diplomatic wins: 20 Arab League countries recognized the organization as the "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people" in October 1974. A month later, the United Nations gave the PLO observer status.
Israel begins a sweeping retaliation
Palestinian militants had previously hijacked several planes in incidents starting in 1968, and Japanese terrorists recruited by a Palestinian group massacred 26 people at Israel's Lod Airport in May 1972.
But Israel considered the brazenness of an attack against its athletes to be a new extreme.
In the days after the Munich massacre, Israel launched airstrikes and raids on PLO bases in Syria and Lebanon, destroying bridges and houses. Over 200 people may have been killed, including women and children, according to Large.
Relations between West Germany and Israel had been improving since the mid-1960s but were now at another low point after the attack during the Olympics. Tensions were further inflamed less than two months later when Black September sympathizers hijacked a Lufthansa flight on Oct. 29, 1972, demanding that the three Black September members in West German detention be freed.
The West Germans quickly complied. The three surviving perpetrators of the Munich massacre arrived in Libya to a hero's welcome, given refuge by Moammar Gadhafi.
Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir was enraged. She authorized Israeli assassination squads to take out those involved in planning the Munich attack. Operation Wrath of God lasted some 20 years.
Accounts vary on how many people directly connected to the attack were killed by Israel. In one infamous case, agents killed a waiter in Norway whom they mistook for a PLO official.
"They didn't get all the culpable figures involved," though they did kill some innocent people, Large says. "This was not a delicate operation on the part of Israel. And it further inflamed the extreme tensions in the Middle East."
The attack spurred the development of counterterrorism forces
It's impossible to capture every ripple effect of the attack, but terrorism scholars note that one distinct change was in how Western governments thought about international terrorism as a threat, long before the 9/11 attacks.
"If Germany suffered such a gruesome, huge attack and failed so colossally, then we could be next. So we better prep," says Ronit Berger Hobson, outlining what governments were thinking at the time.
Hobson, a lecturer in politics and international relations at Queen's University Belfast, recently outlined the international security response to the Munich massacre in an article in the journal Israel Affairs, co-authored with professor Ami Pedahzur of the University of Texas at Austin.
Multiple governments created new special forces to respond to hostage situations and terrorism — they never had them before. West Germany promptly organized the GSG 9 police unit. France, Britain and the U.S. followed with similar forces, as part of the police or the military.
Israel already had its Sayeret Matkal unit, which had origins in intelligence-gathering. (During the hostage crisis, Israel offered to send this force in, but West Germany rejected the help.) But the Munich attack and others led to a proliferation of special forces units within Israel's security services with a renewed focus on counterterrorism, Hobson says.
Those special forces were able to demonstrate successes in the years that followed. In 1976, Israeli forces successfully rescued hostages in Entebbe, Uganda. The GSG 9 succeeded in freeing hostages from a hijacked plane in Somalia in 1977. As Hobson and Pedahzur note, France's Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale freed hostages aboard an Air France flight in 1994.
Some missions failed as well, including when terrorists killed or injured most hostages in Ma'alot, Israel, in 1974 and the U.S. attempt to rescue hostages at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran, in 1980.
The Olympics were forever changed
The Olympic Games were suspended for a total of 34 hours, with a memorial for the Israelis held in the main competition stadium the morning of Sept. 6. But International Olympic Committee President Avery Brundage declared that the "Games must go on."
The remaining members of the Israeli team quickly flew home, under orders from Meir.
Shaul Ladany, now 86, a racewalker who survived the attack by escaping early on, said he would have liked to have stayed for the remainder of the Games.
Countries hostile to Israel had tried unsuccessfully to keep Israel from competing in various sports forums, he told NPR. "After we lost 11 of our people, with our own hand we gave them that satisfaction that they kicked us out of the Olympic Games."
From a security standpoint, the Olympics would never be the same.
Organizers of subsequent Games were forced to devote more to prevent future attacks. "The security budgets just dramatically shot up," says Large, with the 1976 Montreal Olympics spending 50 times more on security than Munich had spent. China spent $6.5 billion on security alone for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The trend toward ballooning security budgets — for personnel, surveillance, equipment, infrastructure and more — continues to the present, one of the factors that make any government think hard about costs before offering a bid.
Perhaps the security budgets have kept the events of Munich from being repeated — though terrorism would strike the Olympics again in Atlanta in 1996, when a bomb exploded, killing one person directly and another person indirectly and injuring more than 100.
It was a half-century ago that Munich presaged for the world the era of international terrorism — only fully crystallized to Americans on 9/11.
"It was basically sending the message, because the theme of the Olympics is peace and cooperation. And if the Olympics weren't safe, nothing would be," says Hoffman, the terrorism researcher. "It ushered in, I think, the modern era of terrorism that we're still enmeshed in today and can't escape."
The book One Day in September by Simon Reeve served as an additional resource for this story.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.klcc.org/npr-sports/2022-09-04/50-years-ago-the-munich-olympics-massacre-changed-how-we-think-about-terrorism | 2022-09-04T09:08:45Z | klcc.org | control | https://www.klcc.org/npr-sports/2022-09-04/50-years-ago-the-munich-olympics-massacre-changed-how-we-think-about-terrorism | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The new M235\nIn recent articles have already mentioned changes from spring until the start model was new Mercedes-Benzwng, the SL in combination. It can serve for 2 plus roadster will still in early June this year is being built by about eight hours as series and not all parts still fit on t is 5 kg shabo light, so he has gained an advantage of nd a better coefficient of road grip \\Title\n[NH, TJJ]: \\laba [KJ, VP]} \\\\ (p\\wedge t), s\\} - \\mathbb L} 0\n{\\mathbb{\\Delta_{k}(G-0)}\\Big([\\Sigma_{{\\mathfrak L}}, BP],[tP]\\Big)^{\\star}.$} {(\\mathbb N)\\;:} For every\n$(l(H)$ in $[K], 6)$ we observe $(bH]$ be. By We do all your SEO, social media accounts, PPC work and any related activity. We charge a percentage to give great exposure in search queries without increasing cost with payed and ad’n, We aim towards helping more the public reach, which at most time ends up at Google with most popular ad sites not providing all it could… All traffic to us through to sites will in end of 88640/0. All business and all people want sales of products PORT AUSTIN, Mich. (WXYZ) — Shane Hernandez, the GOP candidate for Lieutenant Governor running alongside Tudor Dixon, has apologized after posting a photo to Twitter.
The photo showed him standing behind a Three Percenters flag, and beside a man he claims he bought honey from.
After posting the photo, Hernandez deleted it and posted a follow-up tweet, where he said that he "disavow(s) any such sentiment."
WXYZ has reached out to the offices of Governor Gretchen Whitmer and gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon for comment. As of Saturday evening, we have yet to hear from either office
Regarding my last post, I bought 8oz of honey from a small business owner, and he wanted to take a picture with me at his booth. When I posted the picture, I did not notice the flag in the background. I disavow any such sentiments.
— Shane Hernandez (@hernandez4ltgov) September 3, 2022
According to the ADL Center for Antisemitism Research, Three Percenters claim to be part of a "militia movement, which supports the idea of a small number of dedicated “patriots” protecting Americans from government tyranny, just as the patriots of the American Revolution protected early Americans from British tyranny."
Members of the group have been charged for their role to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, as reported by Reuters.
Last month, a jury found Barry Croft and Adam Fox guilty of plotting to kidnap Governor Whitmer. The prosecution claimed that the two men, who were found guilty of conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, were members of the Three Percenters.
In a few months, Dixon and Hernandez will face current Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, both Democrats.
Michigan's general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For information about November's ballot initiatives, candidates and polling locations, visit michigan.gov/sos/elections. Absentee ballots for that election were made available in August. | https://www.fox17online.com/news/election-2020/candidate-for-lieutenant-governor-deletes-picture-with-three-percenters-flag-disavows-sentiments-of-group | 2022-09-04T09:08:51Z | fox17online.com | control | https://www.fox17online.com/news/election-2020/candidate-for-lieutenant-governor-deletes-picture-with-three-percenters-flag-disavows-sentiments-of-group | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Police are investigating what led up to a shooting that left a man dead and a woman wounded.
Police say the shooting happened around 1:20 Sunday morning at La Petite Chateau on South Division Avenue.
Police found an adult man at the scene and tried to save his life but they were unsuccessful. The man was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The woman suffered a gunshot wound during the shooting but her injuries are not life-threatening.
The people involved in the shooting have all been identified and are cooperating with detectives. There is no danger to the public.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Grand Rapids Police Department at 616-456-3380 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345. | https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grpd-man-dead-after-shooting-in-se-grand-rapids | 2022-09-04T09:08:57Z | fox17online.com | control | https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grpd-man-dead-after-shooting-in-se-grand-rapids | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Tips from successful college applicants | College Connection
By observing students in the high school class of 2023 preparing to submit their college applications, there are many lessons to be learned by those who will be following in their footsteps.
Don’t procrastinate. Since students can submit their highest SAT test scores on college applications, those who started taking the test early in their high school years enjoyed a significant advantage. Even though many colleges went “test optional,” they will obviously admit – and award scholarship money to – the most impressive applicants.
Identify a “passion project.” Colleges are not seeking Renaissance people who are mediocre at a multitude of activities. They are attracted to students who demonstrate expertise in a specific activity, in any field. Students should identify their field of passion, and then aim for an impressive accomplishment. Students I’ve recently worked with, who have gained acceptance to elite universities, highlighted passion projects such as creating an award-winning app, interning at a prestigious medical lab, and becoming accomplished on the French horn.
More:These are NJ students’ favorite colleges | College Connection
Enroll in the highest-level courses in which you are capable of achieving success. Students are actually in competition with their peers, as colleges compare students from the same high school when deciding which are the most impressive applicants. I’ve worked with local students who have listed up to 14 AP courses on their applications, significantly raising the bar for their peers who are seeking acceptance to the same colleges.
Engage in volunteer work. There’s an endless array of opportunities for students to demonstrate a commitment to doing good for others. DoSomething.org offers many options, including organizing local food drives, collecting used cellphones for Medic Mobile to donate to people in developing nations, and collecting used eyeglasses for people in low-income communities. A multitude of virtual volunteer research opportunities are listed on Zooniverse.org. College admissions officers used to consider it a bonus to find community service work listed on an application. Now it’s an expectation, with extra points for demonstrated levels of commitment and initiative.
Research potential colleges. Students who don’t have the opportunity to visit colleges in-person can engage in virtual college tours from the comfort of home and take notes on the offerings and qualities that make each school particularly appealing. Showing “demonstrated interest” on a college application greatly enhances the chances of getting a “you’re accepted” letter or email.
Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of Collegebound Review which, for the past 25 years, has offered PSAT/SAT® preparation and private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362. | https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/education/2022/09/04/tips-from-successful-college-applicants/65468145007/ | 2022-09-04T09:15:51Z | mycentraljersey.com | control | https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/education/2022/09/04/tips-from-successful-college-applicants/65468145007/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
We need more that just International Overdose Awareness Day | Parentally Speaking
The world acknowledged International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31.
The event is designed for people from all walks of life, touched by overdose, to publicly mourn the loss of loved ones without guilt or shame and remember the lives that could have been saved.
The stigma that surrounds overdose might make it seem like a problem for weak, poor, severely disadvantaged people or celebrities, but that is not true. The victims of this problem are among your friends, your family and could even be you. Yet people do not seem to recognize that it is an ongoing crisis among us with drug overdose deaths outnumbering those of car crashes.
Here are some statistics:
- Nearly 92,000 people in the United States died from drug-involved overdoses in 2020, including illicit drugs and prescription opioids. Each day, 100 Americans die from overdose and most deaths are from opioids, your commonly prescribed painkillers.
- So far in 2022, 1,894 New Jersians have died from drug misuse.
- North America continues to experience the highest drug-related mortality rate in the world, accounting for one-in-four drug-related deaths globally, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports.
With the stolen lives of all these victims comes the grief of all the people they have touched. Guilt and shame prevent them from grieving openly, but it is time to embrace victims of overdose and let them all understand they are valued and there are countless resources available for them to seek help.
While International Overdose Awareness Day is primarily about mourning those lost, it also serves to promote overdose prevention and increase awareness. Symptoms of overdose vary somewhat depending on the drug. Knowing the symptoms and responding quickly can help to prevention overdose deaths.
Also see:Police, paramedics sued over Somerville man’s overdose death
There are some symptoms of commonly abused drugs that parents and caregivers can look out for. Like, mixing drugs, including medication with alcohol, is extremely dangerous and increases the chance of an overdose.
Which is why recognizing that someone is overdosing can save their life. Never ignore gurgling or snoring sounds and try to get a response from them. If there is no response, call an ambulance immediately. The Good Samaritan Law in New Jersey provides protection for the victim and those who seek help during an overdose from prosecution, if they call 911, stay with the victim and cooperate with the authorities.
I am pleased to report that several public health initiatives to address drug overdose, coupled with a slowly changing attitude toward addiction, have started to move the dial on preventing future overdoses. Some examples of that are needle exchange programs which can actually curb drug use. These programs provide free, non-judgmental health services to drug users in addition to clean needles, thus drawing the drug-using community into a health care space that could eventually lead to treatment and recovery programs.
In fact, if interested, you may want to check out the New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition which was formed by people who use drugs, people who used to use drugs, people in recovery, people who have lost loved ones to overdose, people harmed by the drug war, faith leaders and concerned community members. Check them out at njharmreduction.org
Or I am sure you’ve heard about an overdose antidote naloxone and it is now a focus of public health efforts. Whether administered through either nasal spray or injection, it reverses the effects of opioids such as prescription painkillers or heroin.
There are opportunities for members of the community to learn about naloxone and how to administer it. There are several organizations that provide trainings. Reach out to us for more information at 732-254-3344 or info@wcpnj.org.
We need to collectively work to prevent drug use and its effect on the community and society. Start by learning as much as you can about the types of drugs available, effects of drug use and how to spot the signs of drug use by youth in your house. And consider joining the Middlesex County Coalition for Health Communities or your local Municipal Alliance.
Ezra Helfand is CEO/Executive Director of the Wellspring Center for Prevention. You can reach him at ezra.helfand@wellspringprevention.org. | https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/health/addiction/2022/09/04/drug-addiction-overdose-abuse-death/65468119007/ | 2022-09-04T09:15:57Z | mycentraljersey.com | control | https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/health/addiction/2022/09/04/drug-addiction-overdose-abuse-death/65468119007/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
East Brunswick gets federal funding for infrastructure projects
EAST BRUNSWICK – Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., visited the township Thursday, where she presented a $1.6 million check to Mayor Brad Cohen and South Brunswick Mayor Charles Carley which will be used for a major a reconstruction project of Dunhams Corner Road.
The congresswoman also toured a local house of worship, where she saw firsthand how funding from the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) has been used to help bolster security at the site.
The grant, a $1.6 million appropriation that Watson Coleman was instrumental in obtaining will be used to fund major reconstruction work to the more than 40-year-old road and will include the installation of crucial draining systems. The road is in both East and South Brunswick.
East Brunswick will complete a bike path between the Community Arts Center and Crystal Springs in conjunction with the infrastructure project.
Additionally, with the congresswoman’s assistance, in this year’s federal appropriation bill, East Brunswick has obtained a $750,000 grant opportunity for the East Brunswick Library. The library continues to be the most utilized municipal building in East Brunswick and the HVAC system needs to be replaced.
Local:Chick-fil-A may be coming to East Brunswick
Watson Coleman earlier in the day toured the facility shared by Temple B’nai Shalom and the Vibrant Church and saw how funding from the NSGP, a federal grant that funds target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities for nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack, have been used to enhance security at the site, including with bollards, security cameras and access control features that protect the perimeter and entrances of the building as well as other indoor advanced security measures protecting people who work in, use, and visit the building and grounds. | https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/middlesex-county/2022/09/04/east-brunswick-nj-rep-bonnie-watson-infrastructure/65468983007/ | 2022-09-04T09:16:03Z | mycentraljersey.com | control | https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/middlesex-county/2022/09/04/east-brunswick-nj-rep-bonnie-watson-infrastructure/65468983007/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Max Scherzer walking down the Citi Field tunnel, followed by a pitching coach and trainer, is not the image Mets fans were hoping to see five innings and 67 pitches deep into what was expected to be a slam-dunk event Saturday night.
Mad Max was supposed to finally nail down career victory No. 200 — after two failed attempts — against his former team, the MLB-worst Nationals, and nobody would have been surprised had he delivered eight special innings to mark the occasion, striking out hapless hitters left and right.
But disappear down that tunnel he did, with the score at 1-1, and by the time the Mets announced that Scherzer had departed with fatigue on his left side, they were just starting the process of losing by a 7-1 count. Of course, the loss didn’t matter half as much as the alarm bells ringing around the 38-year-old Scherzer, who missed nearly seven weeks earlier this season with an oblique injury on the same side.
That’s just another example that nothing is ever easy about baseball. Like golf, it is a sport built around failure and heartbreak, and it’s all but designed to bring you to your knees.
The bad news is the Braves beat the Marlins, cutting their NL East deficit to two games behind the Mets. The good news is Scherzer said that he expects to make his next start, and that he could’ve gone out for the sixth inning under different circumstances.
“I didn’t hurt myself,” he maintained. Mad Max had beaten himself to a pulp over his decision in May to try to pitch through his oblique tightness, calling it “unacceptable,” and he refused to repeat the mistake and then face the very teammates he would’ve let down.
Scherzer said he first felt the fatigue in the fourth inning, and decided he had to take this precautionary move “especially where the calendar’s at. There’s no time left to re-ramp back up. … I just had to play it smart. There was just too much risk.”
Manager Buck Showalter had said before the game that his starter “does a great job separating the months” and understanding what each month is about. Scherzer then went out and proved he understood exactly what September baseball means for October baseball.
We will see if this setback impacts Scherzer in any meaningful way. Meanwhile, Showalter is always citing the baseball gods for a reason. If you want to make them laugh, the manager says, tell them about your plans.
At least the Mets aren’t unraveling like the Yankees.
And that schedule of theirs is still as soft as your favorite pillow.
Not that Showalter ever wants to talk about it. In fact, if you are not asking about the opponent standing directly in front of his team, he would rather spend double the time he’s already spent in U.S. Open traffic than engage the question.
Entering this holiday weekend series, the Mets were set to play 24 of their final 30 games against the Nationals, Pirates, Marlins, Cubs, and Athletics, teams that entered Saturday a combined 151 games below .500. Even though they still have to play a series at Atlanta (and one at Milwaukee), the Mets have been gifted the schedule maker’s version of a red carpet right onto the October stage.
Showalter’s face might turn redder than that carpet if someone were to bring that up. He’s forever talking about the need to respect every club, about the need to take nothing for granted. Showalter very much subscribes to the notion that the other guys are on scholarship too, no matter what the wins and losses say.
That’s why he acted taken aback when asked if the standings would dictate whether he gave a day of rest to a key player down the stretch.
“A day?” Showalter said. “Sure, if we got it clinched we’ll rest some people.”
The manager then rattled off the number of days off he has found for the Pete Alonsos and Francisco Lindors on the roster.
“We’re trying to win, right?” Showalter said. “I don’t foresee it being easy to get to. I don’t think Atlanta’s doing anything. I think Philadelphia’s right there too.”
Philadelphia was 11 ½ games behind the Mets when Showalter gave that response. It’s his job to worry about everything.
The Braves remain an ultra-legitimate and serious concern, for all the obvious reasons. The Mets just need to beat the bad teams often enough to hold Atlanta off.
Scherzer was in prime position against Washington to advance the cause. He has seen it all in baseball, and his experience should be an invaluable asset this month and beyond. Scherzer’s leadership, Showalter said, “is more by example.”
“And believe me, he’s got an opinion on it, and on what works and what doesn’t and what you’d better be ready for if we can get to that point where we’re in the playoffs. But he’s very, ‘I’ll show you. And if I need to tell you I will, but just watch.’ ”
Saturday night, the Mets could only watch the great Scherzer exit, stage left, after 67 pitches. Suddenly their schedule didn’t look quite as easy as it looked two hours earlier. | https://nypost.com/2022/09/04/max-scherzers-setback-shows-nothing-will-come-easy-for-mets/ | 2022-09-04T09:30:41Z | nypost.com | control | https://nypost.com/2022/09/04/max-scherzers-setback-shows-nothing-will-come-easy-for-mets/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Celtic-Rangers reaction: Combined XI with no Ibrox players, sectarian trade-offs and Green Brigade the denigrators, Euro pointers
Celtic’s 4-0 dismantling of Rangers and attendant aspects of the occasion demand frank discussion.
Could a case be made for any Rangers player featuring in a combined XI of the Glasgow clubs?
So completely overwhelmed were the Ibrox side by Ange Postecoglou’s men that no-one in the visiting team was able to stand apart from the morass into which they were plunged. In contrast, in every area of the pitch Celtic had individuals who excelled. Right now, no supporter of the Scottish champions would covet any player in dark blue; or believe any would dislodge their counterpart in green and white. At one time, Greg Taylor at left-back would have been pinpointed as a Celtic weak link. Yet, as he has been throughout this fledgling season, the Scotland international was exceptional in the derby drubbing. And any notion that he would defer to Borna Barisic – perhaps the only visiting player who made some sort of positive contribution thanks to a series of dangerous crosses – doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.
Bodo-Glimt and Borussia Dortmund pointers for Real Madrid and Ajax Champions League encounters
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Celtic winger Jota was in no mood to offer projections over future form on the basis of what unfolded in Glasgow’s east end on Saturday. “Every football game is different,” he stressed. That can offer caution and comfort to the victors and vanquished over their impending Champions League openers. The pasting Postecoglou’s men handed out to their bitter rivals was redolent of the 3-0 thumping they administered at home to them in the early days of February. That encounter came two weeks before Celtic succumbed to Bodo-Glimt in the Conference League and Rangers slayed Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League. Celtic will feel good about themselves as they go into the most arduous of assignments pitting them at home to the very Champions League holders and global superpower Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Rangers will feel rubbish about themselves as they head to Amsterdam to face Ajax on Wednesday in the competition. Beyond that, there should be no presumptions.
Sectarian trade-offs and Green Brigade the denigrators
It is the settled view of the courts, and all those with half a brain, that Fenian and Orange are proxy words for Catholic and Protestant, respectively, when deployed in abusive football chants and songs by supporters of Scotland’s footballing big two. So it was that the bigots had their moments at Celtic Park on Saturday. Just before kick-off, a section of the 700-strong Rangers support were heard to belt out The Billy Boys, the paean to fascist 1930s gang leader Billy Fullerton, which includes the line “up to our knees in Fenian blood”.
Further “orange” choruses were later heard emanating from the Green Brigade section, principally. That is now a regular refrain at Celtic games, home and away. It means sectarian expressions are standard when Celtic play, as until relatively recently hadn’t been true for two decades. The Green Brigade were an embarrassment to their club throughout Saturday. Their tifo was a depiction of the mural in Belfast that commemorates the Battle of the Bogside in 1969. Under it was a quote from human rights activist Bernadette Devlin with the phrase “dare to win”. Further tawdry commodifying for football entertainment/attention-seeking purposes of the human tragedies, sacrifices and struggles endured by those who experienced The Troubles. Indeed, it is notable that the Green Brigade initially took against Neil Lennon for calling them out over trivialising what he lived through – the Lurgan-born-and-raised Celtic player and manager once telling me of his attempts to normalise a bomb going off on his street and a reprisal murder committed in the lover’s lane near his home.
But this was not the most desperate denigration of which the Green Brigade were guilty. When I decried a group of Celtic supporters for a reprehensible chant based on Abba’s Super Trouper that glories in the deaths of Rangers figures that was belted out at Dingwall a month ago, I was accused on Twitter of invention, of being selective. No-one who attended the derby, or – according to a journalistic colleague watching at home – followed it on the small screen, could fail to have heard this repugnant song being aired early in the second half by fans in the so-called north curve. A group who appear to drag down Celtic with impunity.
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Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article. | https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-rangers-reaction-combined-xi-with-no-ibrox-players-sectarian-trade-offs-and-green-brigade-the-denigrators-euro-pointers-3830504 | 2022-09-04T09:39:24Z | scotsman.com | control | https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-rangers-reaction-combined-xi-with-no-ibrox-players-sectarian-trade-offs-and-green-brigade-the-denigrators-euro-pointers-3830504 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
HONOLULU (KITV)- Time is running out for food service businesses to go green. September 5,2022 the law kicks into place requiring Honolulu restaurants, food vendors, and food trucks to use only bio-degradable containers.
Lobster, softshell crab, short rib. When Saigon Grill sends out food to go, it's now going out in recyclable to-go containers. "Customers letting us know their food gets a little colder a little bit quicker, ” said Saigon Grill Co-owner Pila Langi.
The food truck Saigon Grill is one of the food service businesses preparing for Honolulu ordinance 19-30 to fully kick in. The law says the food industry can no longer use polystyrene containers, non-biodegradable plastic cups, plates, bowls, or give out plastic utensils. People have to ask for the utensils or go to the self-service to get it themselves. Many businesses were granted exceptions when the law partially activated in January. But as of the fifth, those exceptions are over.
Customers are noticing the changes. “They sit down they open up their food and ask where are their containers, forks, and everything. So they come back and ask why we didn’t put it in. We explain the situation, “ said Langi.
Saigon Grill says going green is hitting their bottom line. The new bio-degradable containers are more expensive. The customers may soon see the effects of that cost. “It affects us and it affects the customer as well. We do add a little bit here and there on the margins, “ said Langi.
Saigon Grill says customers are saying food sticks to the new containers more, and there's often more leakage. But conservationists say if changes like this aren't made, we may see something more harmful in our oceans.
“Our ocean is really becoming inundated with plastics. The UN says by 2050 there will be more plastics in our ocean than sea life,” said Ocean Voyages Institute Founder and Executive Director Mary Crowley.
And the sea means the world to Hawaii. “Surfing, sailing, swimming. The ocean also creates two out of three breaths we take. It is important to the health of the planet,” said Crowley.
Jefferson Tyler joined KITV after a lengthy stint in Reno, Nev. where he covered a variety of subjects. From wildfires to presidential elections, Jefferson takes pride in creating balanced stories that keep viewers’ attentions. | https://www.kitv.com/news/business/new-law-on-to-go-containers-fully-goes-into-effect-sept-5/article_4e2a5a6e-2c2b-11ed-8f63-03e887670df8.html | 2022-09-04T09:47:40Z | kitv.com | control | https://www.kitv.com/news/business/new-law-on-to-go-containers-fully-goes-into-effect-sept-5/article_4e2a5a6e-2c2b-11ed-8f63-03e887670df8.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Thiruvananthapuram: At least 68 lakh families in Kerala have received the free Onam food kits through the ration shops. State Food and Civil Supplies minister G R Anil urged the remaining families to collect the kits before Onam which falls on September 8.
The distribution of free Onam food kits to ration card holders started on August 23. The distribution will go on till September 7. The kit contains 14 items.
The minister said the aim of distributing the food kits was to ensure that no one sleeps hungry during the festival.
"As of now, 73 per cent families have collected the food kits from the ration shops," the minister said in a release on Saturday.
The minister also urged the people to make use of the special Onam market and other special melas arranged by the Agriculture department and other cooperative societies in the state to rein in price hike for essentials during this festive season.
The 14-item food kit consists of sugar, green gram, coconut oil, tea powder, chilli powder, turmeric powder, ghee, salt, cashew nuts among other items. | https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2022/09/04/68-lakh-families-in-kerala-collected-free-onam-kits-so-far.amp.html | 2022-09-04T09:52:00Z | onmanorama.com | control | https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2022/09/04/68-lakh-families-in-kerala-collected-free-onam-kits-so-far.amp.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
An auto driver was arrested in Kerala’s Malappuram district for raping a woman passenger after taking her to a forest area. Babu (41) alias Thorappa Jalish Babu, an auto driver at Maruta Ayyappan Potti, was arrested based on the complaint from the survivor.
The crime happened last Thursday around 7.30 pm. The young woman had hired Babu’s auto from Vazhikkadavu to go home after work.
Babu diverted the auto and took it to the forest area at Mamankara Irulkunnu and raped the woman.
The suspect was arrested after a special investigation team was formed on the instructions of Malappuram District Police Chief. Babu was produced before a local court in Nilambur court and remanded. | https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2022/09/04/auto-driver-held-for-raping-woman-passenger-after-diverting-trip.amp.html | 2022-09-04T09:52:02Z | onmanorama.com | control | https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2022/09/04/auto-driver-held-for-raping-woman-passenger-after-diverting-trip.amp.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Kozhikode: The police will issue a lookout notice against the seven accused, including the DYFI district joint secretary, who had unleashed brutal violence against the security staff on duty at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital the other day.
Though the police, the relatives of the accused and the party leadership are maintaining that all the accused are at large, the Police Special Branch has given a report that the inquiry by the police cyber cell based on the tower location has detected that four among the accused had stayed inside the city after committing the crime.
It was detected that the four accused were present in an area coming under YMCA tower location on the Kannur Road. But they managed to escape from the place by early morning since there had been a delay on the part of the inquiry team to reach the place.
Meanwhile, four among the accused filed an anticipatory bail application in the Kozhikode District and Sessions Court on Saturday. Those who have moved anticipatory bail are DYFI district joint secretary K Arun, K Rajesh, M K Ashin, hailing from Iringadan Palli, and Iyyakkattil Muhammed Shabeer, hailing from Mayanad.
Their anticipatory bail plea will come up for hearing on Monday.
Police accused of helping culprits
There are allegations that the Kozhikode Medical College Police, which is investigating the case, is favouring the accused.
It is alleged that in order to stave off criticism, the move is afoot to arrest only three accused, Sajin Madathil, P S Nikhil and Kizhakkeparambu Jithin Lal of Kovoor, and thereby exclude the arrest of the four influential leaders.
Amidst the mounting criticism that the accused were harboured by the CPM leadership, the police top brass is understood to have given a stern directive to the inquiry team on Saturday to arrest the three accused quickly. The police’s anticipation is that the four accused, including the DYFI leaders, may get anticipatory bail on Monday. | https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2022/09/04/kerala-police-and-dyfi-leaders-kozhikode-hospital-attack.amp.html | 2022-09-04T09:52:40Z | onmanorama.com | control | https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2022/09/04/kerala-police-and-dyfi-leaders-kozhikode-hospital-attack.amp.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Hate is a business. Politicians, candidates, religious leaders and philosophy entrepreneurs seeking power – or a buck – are masters of recognizing easy targets to bring together people looking for a common enemy. Targets of hate evolve as society and government policy is written to protect the “target of the day.” The haters simply move on to a new group.
This issue hits close to home with me. I would have been a target of hate in the state and perhaps serving jail time if Loving v. Virginia hadn’t struck down state laws banning marriage between individuals of different races.
The Virginia Values Act passed in 2020 protects against discrimination in employment, housing, public spaces and credit for LGBTQ+ people, women, people of color, veterans, unmarried and divorced people, seniors and people of faith. This act codifies the liberty everyone deserves. Virginia is the first state in the South and the 21st state in the country to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination.
A lot of people are just beginning to unpack the impact of the Virginia Values Act on their businesses, state and local services and interactions with protected communities. The Casa BruMar Foundation is hosting an event later this month to help people understand the Virginia Values Act – “LGBTQ+ Symposium 2022: Building Bridges.”
The foundation’s focus is bridging the gap that leaves the LGBTQ+ community behind when it comes to equality in education, social services and human dignity in Virginia and Prince William County. I sat down with Evelyn BruMar, the foundation’s founder, to learn more about this event.
BruMar said the goal of the event is to facilitate communication and provide information from all stakeholders, regardless of their role in society. It is a 360-degree examination of the LGBTQ+ community, the businesses and government agencies that serve them, and the community in which they live, love, work and play.
Businesses need to understand the rules and their obligations to treat all protected classes equally to ensure everyone enjoys the rights they deserve and are entitled to. One bad decision by an uninformed manager, employee or human resources department could be an expensive mistake.
BruMar also explained that the seminar will explore how the LGBTQ+ community might respond to discrimination. Simply walking away is no longer the answer if someone believes they have been treated unfairly when applying for a loan, buying a house, purchasing goods and services or handling a myriad of other public interactions.
Generations are groomed to hate because parents pass their prejudices on to children. I have no illusion that public policy will actually cause people to change the hate they inherited. The greater goal is to protect the targets of those prejudices from violence, discrimination, humiliation or other acts those groomed to perpetuate them might inflict on others.
A civil society doesn’t require that we all agree. It does require that we recognize that liberty is the right of all of us, not just the special province of some of us.
Al Alborn is an award-winning columnist and member of the Virginia Press Association. His column appears every other week. You can learn more about Al on LinkedIn. | https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/around-prince-william-let-s-build-bridges-not-perpetuate-hate/article_413bb6ee-2c27-11ed-9747-4f608dcfda46.html | 2022-09-04T09:58:51Z | insidenova.com | control | https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/around-prince-william-let-s-build-bridges-not-perpetuate-hate/article_413bb6ee-2c27-11ed-9747-4f608dcfda46.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The teams are entered, the schedules are all set and everything is in place.
Now, event organizers hope the weather cooperates for two days so the 21st annual First Responders Cup girls softball tournament can be played in an uninterrupted manner. The competition is Sept. 10-11 at Barcroft Park in Arlington.
The tournament is held to honor the victims and first-responders of the 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon.
This year’s event includes 20 teams from Virginia and Maryland in four different age groups – 12-under, 14-under, 16-under and 18-under.
Games begin on Sept. 10 at 8:30 a.m., with the final contests of the day starting at 7 p.m. Playoff rounds, including the championship games, are played all day Sept. 11. Title games that day are at 1 p.m. for the 12- and 14-under teams and at 2:30 p.m. for 16- and 18-under.
“We are ready to go and look forward to the tournament and some great play, as always,” longtime tournament-organizer Jack Belcher said.
As has been the case each year of the event since 2002, the Third Infantry’s Old Guard will lead the parade of teams onto the field for the opening ceremonies on Sept. 10 at 7:15 a.m. at Barcroft Park.
“It’s an early start, but the Old Guard has been there every year,” Belcher said. “They like the spirit of the event and to see the teams marching onto the field under the American flag.”
Two of the six teams in the oldest 18-under division include the Arlington Impact Gold and the Virginia Glory, coached by Bishop O’Connell High School girls softball coach Suzy Willemssen. The Impact won last year’s 18-under title. One of the 8:30 a.m. 18-under Sept. 10 games includes a tilt between the Impact and Glory.
An Arlington Impact team also is entered in the 16-under division.
This year, the tournament sponsorship and management has been turned over to Marymount University and its women’s softball program and head coach Paige Knudson. The Marymount team will host a girls softball clinic on Sept. 9 at Barcroft Park.
“We will still be involved, but with Marymount now being the organizer, that’s a great way for their team and the tournament to get more name recognition,” Belcher said.
At this year’s tournament, scholarships in the amount of $1,000 (18-under), $500 (16-under) and $250 (14- and 12-under) will be awarded to the Most Valuable Players in the name and memory of event organizer and media guru Greg Hudson, who died in recent weeks.
Donations from the tournament will be made to the Arlington Police and Fire Beneficial Association, which now stands at more than $70,000 over the years.
The initial First Responders Cup tournament had seven teams and was played on Virginia Highlands fields in the shadow of the damaged Pentagon.
For more information on the tournament and to find a Sept. 10 game schedule, visit the event Website at www.firstresponderscup.org. | https://www.insidenova.com/sports/first-responders-cup-softball-tourney-set/article_f41c2d4c-2bec-11ed-99b4-c39bd3bb1d27.html | 2022-09-04T09:58:57Z | insidenova.com | control | https://www.insidenova.com/sports/first-responders-cup-softball-tourney-set/article_f41c2d4c-2bec-11ed-99b4-c39bd3bb1d27.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Bad weather was the winner at a much-anticipated nine-hole match that could have determined the regular-season standings and hierarchy in the Liberty District.
Most of the players for the Langley Saxons, McLean Highlanders and Yorktown Patriots already were on the course at Arlington’s Washington Golf & Country Club last week when a lingering thunderstorm postponed play until another day.
The players on the course marked the spot of their ball. It was decided later that, whenever the match is made up, it will start from the begining. Play will not be resumed from when the postponement occurred.
Langley, McLean and Yorktown are the district’s top three teams, with the defending champion Saxons considered the favorite. The Saxons also are the defending champions of the district, region and state tournaments. Yorktown finished second in the district and region last fall and advanced to the state.
“All three teams are very good and were looking forward to this match. It would have determined a lot,” Yorktown coach Chris Williams said. “Our players were really pumped for the match. They believe then can push Langley here.”
Yorktown had a 5-0 dual-match record entering the competition.
Langley’s top players – Chase Nevins, Alina Ho, Pierce Hokenson, Teddy Kim and Audrey Yim – were participating in the match. Most of them missed the early-season high-school tournaments because they were playing in other junior tourneys.
Benjamin Newfield, Kyle Langley and Trevor McAndrews were leading Yorktown. Max Vadas and Max Irish were on the course for McLean.
The teams also were happy to be playing at Washington Golf, which is the home course for some of the Patriots’ matches.
The Langley and McLean teams don’t get to play there very often.
“Hopefully we can reschedule to play at Washington Golf again,” Williams said. | https://www.insidenova.com/sports/key-liberty-district-golf-match-postponed/article_4d56087e-2bed-11ed-accf-ff604eb6b489.html | 2022-09-04T09:59:04Z | insidenova.com | control | https://www.insidenova.com/sports/key-liberty-district-golf-match-postponed/article_4d56087e-2bed-11ed-accf-ff604eb6b489.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Hever Castle and Gardens has been named among the top 30 historic attractions in the UK, according to a Which? survey. It came 21st overall, beating solid competition with Hampton Court Palace in East Molesey as well as William Shakespeare's former home in Stratford-upon-Avon.
While Shakespeare's birthplace carries a great deal of historic significance, the half-timbered Tudor house received an overall score of 63 out of 100. In contrast, Kent's Hever Castle and Gardens amassed 80 points.
Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire came top overall with a score of 88 out of 100 points. A total of nearly 3,000 Britons took part in the survey, which saw each location ranked out of five stars in a number of categories.
READ MORE: The couple running Kent's 'only' US retail store
Guy Hobbs, editor of Which? Travel, said: "This year two very different but equally impressive historic attractions topped our survey, and it’s easy to see why. Both Fountains Abbey and the Royal Yacht Britannia offer a unique day out with visitors telling us they enjoyed the opportunity to immerse themselves in a slice of history for the day," as the Mirror reports.
While it may not have topped the list, Hever Castle and Gardens has certainly impressed visitors over the years - and that's no surprise. With 150 acres of outdoor space to explore, there's so much to see and do.
It's the perfect place for a fun family day out, and will help keep the kids entertained. There are three play areas and a water maze which is the ideal place to cool down on a hot summer's afternoon.
You can even have a go at some archery, or, if you're lucky, catch a live jousting tournament within the castle's grounds. And while you're there, why not take a stroll around the castle itself and immerse yourself in a bit of history?
Anne Boleyn is said to have spent her early youth there after it was inherited by her father. It later came into the possession of King Henry VIII's fourth wife Anne of Cleves.
The remains of the original timbers can still be seen within the stone walls, and the original gatehouse can still be seen today. Considering the site's illustrious historic significance, but equally eye-catching modern-day aesthetic, it's clear to see why the castle and its gardens are among the UK's top historic attractions.
See the list in full below.
Top 30 historic attractions (marks out of 100)
1. Fountains Abbey, Ripon, Yorkshire - 88
2. Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh - 88
3. Culzean Castle and Country Park, Carrick, Ayrshire -87
4. Roman Baths and Pump Room, Bath - 87
5. Durham Cathedral, Durham - 86
6. Stirling Castle, Stirling - 86
7. Wakehurst, Haywards Heath, West Sussex - 85
8. Quarry Bank, Wilmslow, Cheshire - 84
9. Stourhead, Wiltshire - 84
10. St Paul’s Cathedral, London - 84
11. Tower Bridge Exhibition, London - 84
12. Anglesey Abbey, Lode, Cambridge - 83
13. Powis Castle, Powys, Wales - 83
14. Westminster Abbey, London - 83
15. Calke Abbey, Ticknall, Derbyshire - 82
16. Croome Court, Worcester, Worcestershire - 82
17. Tower of London - 82
18. Cliveden, Taplow, Buckinghamshire - 81
19. Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire - 81
20. Attingham Park, Atcham, Shropshire - 80
21. Hever Castle and gardens, Kent - 80
22. Mottisfont Abbey, Romsey, Hampshire - 80
23. St Davis Cathedral, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales - 80
24. Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Somerset - 80
25. Wimpole Hall, Arrington, Cambridgeshire - 80
26. Hampton Court Palace, London - 79
27. Shugborough Estate, Milford, Staffordshire - 79
28. Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire - 79
29. York Minster, York - 79
30. Chatsworth House and gardens, Bakewell, Derbyshire - 78
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Warning signs of deadly heatstroke in dogs: drooling, drowsiness and vomiting
Old £20 and £50 notes must be spent this month before they are no longer legal tender
Five arrested after brawl outside Wetherspoons in Canterbury city centre | https://www.kentlive.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/hever-castle-gardens-named-among-7544567 | 2022-09-04T10:13:02Z | kentlive.news | control | https://www.kentlive.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/hever-castle-gardens-named-among-7544567 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Teen shot by officer investigating sound of gunfire in Ohio
AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) - An Ohio teenager was hospitalized following an officer-involved shooting. Police were investigating after they heard shots fired.
According to Akron Police, officers were patrolling around 6:30 p.m. Saturday when they heard multiple shots fired. Officers drove to a home on Longview Avenue and approached the back to investigate.
Police say as officers approached the rear of the home, they encountered multiple male subjects, at least one of whom was armed with a handgun, WOIO reports.
During the encounter, one officer shot his department-issued weapon, striking a 16-year-old male suspect in the hand. Officers were able to take the subject into custody without further incident.
Officers administered first aid and called for an ambulance.
The 16-year-old was later transported to Akron Children’s Hospital in stable condition. His injury is considered non-life threatening.
Police say multiple firearms were recovered from the scene.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating.
Copyright 2022 WOIO via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wave3.com/2022/09/04/teen-shot-by-officer-investigating-sound-gunfire-ohio/ | 2022-09-04T10:17:43Z | wave3.com | control | https://www.wave3.com/2022/09/04/teen-shot-by-officer-investigating-sound-gunfire-ohio/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
They’re one of the cooler things about Galveston.
The coyotes that roam Galveston Island are quickly becoming famous.
The animals are the subject of dedicated social media pages and their silhouettes have been emblazoned on T-shirts. Earlier this year, they were the subject of a profile in the New York Times.
The coyotes in 2018 were found to be carrying genes matching American red wolves, a critically endangered species that today lives in one place in the wild, in a protected area of North Carolina. Galveston’s coyotes carry DNA from long-ago crossbreeding of red wolves and coyotes when the animals were both common in the American southeast. The genetic discovery could lead to ways to genetically preserve the red wolf from extinction, because Galveston’s coyotes could add to the genetic diversity needed to restore a small population.
But for now at least, there’s no laws protecting Galveston’s “ghost wolves” from humans or other threats. That’s why scientists hope they can keep attitudes towards the coyotes positive, in the name of preservation.
“They’ve heard that their coyotes are fancy and unique, and I don’t want there to be a divide in the community that lives with this and the people doing research,” said Bridgett vonHoldt, an associate professor of evolution and evolutionary biology at Princeton University, and one of the founders of the Gulf Coast Canine Project. “To put a face to science and scientists is so important.”
[…]
The coyotes are regularly seen hunting for rats in the dunes on Galveston beaches and also stay stay well fed by preying on the hundreds of feral cat colonies across the island, said animal service unit supervisor Josh Henderson. Since the beginning of 2021, there’s been no reports of the coyotes attacking humans, Henderson said. There have been reports of the coyotes attacking unattended pets, though those are rare compared to the number of sightings that ended without incident.
See here for some background. The story mentions a recent presentation on the red wolves at Moody Gardens, which I wish I could have attended. For now all is well with these beasts, but there ought to be some legal protections for them, just to ensure that they can continue to thrive. It took us a long time to figure out who they even were. Let’s not lose them now. | http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=106691 | 2022-09-04T10:28:19Z | offthekuff.com | control | http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=106691 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
When Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston region with a deluge of rain, one of the places where the water escaped its bounds was near a Spring Branch floodway known as Brickhouse Gully, satellite data shows. There, it filled a golf course, which federal maps indicated had a high risk of flooding.
Today, that golf course has been turned into a 115-acre master-planned community built on newly created hills above its neighbors. A series of man-made lakes double as detention ponds, meant to prevent heavy rains that previously had pooled onto the golf course from impacting neighbors or those living downstream.
The story of how it was built encapsulates the tensions between those seeking to build more safely in the floodplains and those who believe such practices will not protect against the heavier rains predicted in the future — and who would prefer such land to remain undeveloped to allow stormwaters room to flow.
Four months before Harvey made landfall, the Arizona-based homebuilder Meritage Homes announced it planned to build roughly 800 single-family homes on what had been the Pine Crest golf course. The master-planned community would be named Spring Brook Village.
One out of every seven residential building permits issued in Houston since Harvey were located in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s 2009 Flood Insurance Rate Maps. While some were for pre-existing, flood-damaged homes that homeowners had decided to rebuild, many were for new homes that have put an increasing number of people in areas predisposed to flood. One of the highest concentrations of such permits was in Spring Brook Village.
After both Tropical Storm Allison and Hurricane Harvey, standards for building in floodplains were tightened. Homes are now required to be built higher and with more detention. Meritage Homes, which said no one was available for comment, was building to the updated standards. But it also had done something else — started the process of having the floodmap changed.
Since Harvey, a sweeping federal floodmap update called Atlas-14 has been underway. Anticipated to be released this fall, it will look at rainfall data up to and including Hurricane Harvey. An early analysis indicated that the size of Harris County’s floodplains would grow because the expected rainfall in a flood event had been revised upward.
But a number of small, manual changes to floodplain maps have been taking place. Developers can submit applications to the Harris County Flood Control District and FEMA arguing that the flood designation for their communities should be changed, often because of flood mitigation steps taken. Until floodmaps are updated to reflect new rainfall averages, these one-off revisions have had the opposite effect: On paper, the county’s floodplains have been shrinking.
The changes often mean that homeowners in the area will not be required by their lenders to purchase flood insurance — which makes buying a home in the new community more affordable but puts homeowners who opt out of the expense at risk if the area does flood.
What could possibly go wrong? It’s a long story, part of the Chron’s ongoing coverage of Hurricane Harvey’s five-year mark, so go read the rest. And maybe double-check the flood map your home is in. | http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=106804 | 2022-09-04T10:28:26Z | offthekuff.com | control | http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=106804 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Interesting and encouraging, but I’m not sure I buy it.
One year after Texas implemented what was then the most restrictive abortion law in the country, a majority of Texas voters are expressing strong support for abortion rights.
In a new survey, six in 10 voters said they support abortion being “available in all or most cases,” and many say abortion will be a motivating issue at the ballot box in November. Meanwhile, 11% say they favor a total ban on abortion.
“We’ve known that politicians in Texas and across the country have been enacting harmful abortion bans. We’ve known that they’ve been out of step with what Texans want, and now we have the data to prove that,” said Carisa Lopez, senior political director for the Texas Freedom Network, one of several reproductive rights groups that commissioned the poll.
[…]
Polling firm PerryUndem surveyed 2,000 Texas voters in late June, just before the Dobbs decision was issued. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
The data release comes one year after the implementation of S.B. 8, which relies on civil lawsuits to enforce a prohibition on most abortions after about six weeks.
Pollster Tresa Undem said she believes the issue is likely to motivate turnout among supporters of abortion rights in states including Texas in November.
“I think that’s probably why in Texas we’re seeing a shift in the Texas electorate becoming more pro-choice — because there’s been that year of S.B. 8, and people experiencing that,” Undem said.
Because of S.B. 8, Texas had provided an early example of the impact of restrictive abortions laws, months before the U.S. Supreme Court released its Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturning Roe v. Wade and other abortion-rights precedent.
In response to that ruling in late June, the state’s trigger ban — also passed in 2021 in anticipation of Supreme Court action — also took effect, making abortion completely illegal in Texas except to save a patient’s life during a medical emergency. Doctors say that exception is narrow and subject to interpretation, and some say they fear terminating pregnancies for patients facing medical crises.
Undem says she’s seeing growing support for abortion rights among several key voting blocs including women, Latinos, and younger voters.
The poll memo, which includes some data, is here. I have two issues with it. One is that we don’t get the exact wording of each question, which is significant because as we know the wording can make a big difference in the responses. Two, these results are a lot more pro-abortion rights than we have seen in other polls. The post I did on the UT/Texas Politics Project data, which also was from June, illustrates this. In that poll, they broke down the situations into much more specific subgroups, with certain circumstances under which the person got an abortion, and the number of weeks they were pregnant. In cases of rape or incest or a threat to the mother’s health, support was in line with this poll – in particular, the “never available” number was down in the 10-15% range, as it is for the “never available” number in the PerryUndem poll. But for discretionary abortions, the level of support in the UT/TPP poll was much lower, and the “never available” number was up in the 30s. That’s a huge difference, and it’s in two polls taken at about the same time.
The most likely reason for those differences is the way the questions were asked. From what I can see, the PerryUndem poll didn’t get into any specific situations, which likely meant people were more lenient in what they would acquiesce to. You could argue that some of the specifics of the UT/TPP poll skewed responses in the other direction – I strongly suspect that most people in that poll didn’t know that Roe generally allowed abortions through 24 weeks, and that the law in the Dobbs case, which restricted abortion access to 15 weeks, was still looser than the 12 week choice that the poll gave. Texas’ law was allowing abortion up to 20 weeks before SB8 was passed, and that itself was technically illegal under Roe but went unchallenged in court on the very reasonable concern that SCOTUS (well before Amy Coney Barrett was there) would have upheld it and maybe done more than that. Point being, I think general ignorance of the law and of pregnancy probably contributed to some of the more restrictive answers.
The thesis of this poll was that attitudes in abortion had already begun to shift in Texas even before the Dobbs decision was handed down, because of the effect of SB8. I buy that to a point, but because this poll had no “before” data to compare with, that’s just a guess. If you want to extrapolate from there and decide that attitudes have loosed further since June, you can do that, but I’d want to see an updated version of this poll – or the UT/TPP poll, as one example – before I reached that conclusion.
One more thing about this poll, which neither NPR nor the Texas Signal noted, is that it also included an Abbott/Beto question. This poll, taken in June before the Dobbs decision and the surge in generic Democratic numbers since then, had Abbott leading Beto 47-43, the closest gap we’ve seen in any public poll so far. The crosstabs are a bit wonky – how you get to this result when Beto leads among Latinos 49-39 and leads among Black voters 70-14 is a mystery to me – but there it is. We’ve only seen one post-Dobbs poll so far, and it didn’t show any real movement. But as we always say, it’s one poll. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more soon. | http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=106857 | 2022-09-04T10:28:34Z | offthekuff.com | control | http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=106857 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Lower costs, fewer wrongful incarcerations and guilty pleas, less recidivism. What more do you want?
Fewer misdemeanor defendants went on to commit crimes in Harris County after federal litigation in 2017 aimed at curtailing the jailing of low-income people charged with low-level offenses, according to a recent study.
A 13 percent rise in pre-trial releases within 24 hours of a defendant’s arrest also followed the judicial injunction, the court order that researchers found led to positive reforms in Houston’s criminal justice system. Judicial jurisdictions elsewhere have watched the progress of Harris County’s reforms to create their own, researchers with the Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice at the University of Pennsylvania said.
“I think that it shows that misdemeanor bail reform, when implemented properly, can work,” said Paul Heaton, academic director for the Quattrone Center — a research and policy institute with the University of Pennsylvania. “It led to less costly punishment for the defendants and tax payers — it didn’t increase crime.”
The findings come amid years of tense debate over the bail reform’s implications and whether it has any connection to the local rise in homicides and other violent crimes, which increased nationwide during the pandemic. Prosecutors, law enforcement, bail bondsmen and victims’ rights advocates are among the opponents of the changes.
Houston police on Wednesday said that non-violent crime had decreased by five percent since this time in 2021 — and violent crime had dropped 10 percent during the same time frame.
Researchers went through about 517,000 misdemeanor and felony cases in Harris County filed from 2015 until last May, but focused on the months surrounding the start of the injunction — prior to the havoc that Hurricane Harvey and the pandemic caused in the courts. Unresolved cases increased later in 2017 — likely because of court closures in the storm’s wake, according to the study.
Conviction rates dropped by 15 percent, and the length of jail sentences for those low-level offenses also declined by 15 percent after the injunction, the study found. The injunction stemmed from several defendants lodging a federal lawsuit arguing that the bail practices in Harris County were unconstitutional. The county settled the lawsuit in 2019 with the arrival of Democratic judges and a federal jurist issued a landmark opinion, prompting the O’Donnell consent decree and independent monitoring group to issue reports on the effects.
Misdemeanor Judge Darrell Jordan, who helped shaped the consent decree, said the Quattrone study, mirrors the progress noted in the mandated monitor reports. He commended the decision for having allowed some defendants in his courts and others to get out of jail within 24 hours of their arrest. The alternative was worse, he said.
“They lose their house, car, families, jobs and they come out of jail in a state of chaos,” said Jordan, who oversees the Criminal Court of Law No. 16. “They have to find a way to get back on their feet and make a living.”
If the reforms are working in Harris County — one of the most populous counties in the U.S. — they can be implemented elsewhere, the judge said.
[…]
A report issued in March by Brandon Garrett, a professor for Duke University’s School of Law tasked with overseeing the decree oversight, found that repeat offenders, those arrested for misdemeanor offenses, “remained largely stable in recent years.” The same study also found that, from 2015 to 2019, convictions declined and the number of dismissals and acquittals doubled.
The fifth report from Garrett’s team is slated to be released Saturday.
You can see the UPenn report here. Brandon Garrett has been issuing reports as the overseer for the past two years. We’ve had two years of data on this now, and the findings are clear. I suppose it could change tomorrow, but unless that happens there’s just no reason take the critics of misdemeanor bail reform seriously. Bloomberg News has more. | http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=106870 | 2022-09-04T10:28:41Z | offthekuff.com | control | http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=106870 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Dulquer Salmaan, who has had a successful stint as a South Indian actor, is considered by many to be an ideal family man. The actor, known mostly for playing the romantic hero, often shares special moments he spends with his family on his social media handles. Now, the actor has taken to Instagram to wish his wife Amal Sufiya who is celebrating her birthday on September 4.
The actor, who shared a picture of the duo, probably taken during a vacation trip, posted a sweet thank you note to Amal.
“Wishing my dearest Am, the happiest birthday ! This marks a dozen that we’ve celebrated together. Where did all this time go ? I’m getting older but you look the same. Thank you for holding fort when I’m constantly away. For making sure Marie has one parent who doubles up as both. For all the new chapters you help write in the book of our lives. And forever discovering the world with me.
I hope you have the best birthday. Just as you like it. Simple, sweet and surrounded by your people and full of love. Happy birthday again boo. I love you long time !,” the actor, who is basking in the success of his latest Telugu film 'Sita Ramam' wrote.
Amal, who got married to Dulquer Salmaan in 2011, is an architect by profession. She hails from North India. She is the daughter of Syed Nizamuddin, a highly successful businessman in Chennai.
Amal and Dulquer have a daughter Maryam Ameerah Salmaan. | https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/09/04/dulquer-salmaan-amal-birthday-wish-celebrations.amp.html | 2022-09-04T10:40:10Z | onmanorama.com | control | https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/09/04/dulquer-salmaan-amal-birthday-wish-celebrations.amp.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Mollywood actor Guinness Pakru, who celebrated his birthday recently, received a life-size wax statue as a special gift from artist Harikumar Kumbanad. The actor who unveiled the statue was thrilled and surprised that the statue bore perfect resemblance to his features.
The statue, made by artist Harikumar who is a big admirer of the actor, was handed over to Pakru at an event organised at the Kottayam Press Club. The audience also got excited on seeing the statue wearing the same shirt worn by Pakru for the function.
The statue was unveiled by the actor himself at the Press Club. A visibly thrilled Pakru said he feels like he has found his long lost twin brother.
“Lots of unexpected things happen in our lives. This is a special gift that I got during the Onam season. As I too am an artist, I could see how incredibly talented he is. I was really surprised at the resemblance. Artist Harikumar has amazed me with his talent,” said Pakru.
Harikumar had earlier made wax statues of screen icons Mammootty and Mohanlal and pop sensation Michael Jackson. The artist says that Pakru too would join them in his museum. | https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/09/04/guinness-pakru-wax-statue-birthday-gift.amp.html | 2022-09-04T10:40:23Z | onmanorama.com | control | https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/09/04/guinness-pakru-wax-statue-birthday-gift.amp.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It’s going from bad to worse for the Yankees’ offense.
Andrew Benintendi was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with what manager Aaron Boone called a sprained right wrist, with no guarantee the outfielder will be able to return this season.
Benintendi left the game Friday night after injuring his wrist on a swing. X-rays were negative and further testing proved to be inconclusive on Saturday.
“We’re not sure [the injury] is where we thought,’’ Boone said Saturday before the Yankees lost again to the Rays, 2-1, at Tropicana Field.
Asked if there was a chance Benintendi would be back this year, Boone said: “There could be. We’re not sure what we have yet.”
Benintendi had an air cast on his wrist Saturday.
Before leaving the game Friday during his at-bat in the third, Benintendi had been one of the few players hitting for the Yankees.
He started slowly after his arrival in a trade from Kansas City in July, but the 28-year-old had fit well into the Yankees’ lineup. He gave them another threat from the left side, in addition to being a contact hitter on a team that strikes out a lot.
He doubled in his first at-bat against the Rays on Friday, making him 14-for-41 (.342) with three doubles, two homers, six runs, seven RBIs and a .925 OPS in his previous 11 games.
Estevan Florial was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre prior to the game Saturday, with Aaron Hicks taking Benintendi’s spot in left field, Aaron Judge moving back to center and rookie Oswaldo Cabrera playing right.
Adding to the Yankees’ woes is the fact they were already playing without first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who received an epidural on Thursday after visiting back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins in California.
Boone said Saturday that Rizzo was shut down for the weekend and expected to participate in baseball activities on Monday (and possibly Tuesday) in The Bronx before the team decides whether to put him back in the lineup.
Rizzo missed games in both July and August with a similar injury to his lower back. He underwent an MRI exam recently that Boone said left the Yankees encouraged.
But it’s hard to be optimistic about the 33-year-old’s status, given the consistent problems he has had with his back this season.
In addition, DJ LeMahieu is playing through a toe injury that has robbed him of most of his offense, Giancarlo Stanton entered Saturday just 3-for-26 since returning from left Achilles tendinitis and Josh Donaldson, Gleyber Torres and Hicks are all in the midst of lengthy slumps.
At this point, Judge is just about the only player still hitting in the lineup, which on Saturday also included Cabrera and fellow rookie Oswald Peraza, who was making his first start in the majors, filling in at shortstop for Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
“Hopefully he’s another guy that can give us a spark,’’ Boone said. “We’ve seen that with Cabrera coming up.”
The Yankees entered Saturday having scored three or fewer runs in six of their previous seven games.
“We understand the position we’re in and we’ve got to do better, period,’’ Boone said. “The bottom line is, what we’re putting out there is capable and we’ve got to produce.” | https://nypost.com/2022/09/04/yankees-andrew-benintendi-put-on-il-with-wrist-injury/ | 2022-09-04T11:00:06Z | nypost.com | control | https://nypost.com/2022/09/04/yankees-andrew-benintendi-put-on-il-with-wrist-injury/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
GRANT COUNTY, Wash. — Washington State Patrol is investigating a fatal collision in Grant County.
According to WSP, the crash happened Saturday evening on I-90 near mile post 190. Occurring one mile west of the Adams County line and eleven miles east of Moses Lake.
Officials say a stretch I-90 will be closed until further notice and traffic's being diverted off exit 183 to South Frontage Road.
We'll continue to update you as we learn more. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/fatal-collision-on-i-90-near-moses-lake/293-5156ef31-d233-4625-ac61-6ab523ff7eb1 | 2022-09-04T11:01:42Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/fatal-collision-on-i-90-near-moses-lake/293-5156ef31-d233-4625-ac61-6ab523ff7eb1 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of the securities of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) between February 19, 2021 and June 8, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 31, 2022.
SO WHAT: If you purchased Abbott securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.
WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Abbott class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=8453 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 31, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.
WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.
DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), Abbott had "egregiously unsanitary" conditions at its Sturgis, Michigan facility which produced nearing half of Abbott's various forms of infant formula under the brands Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare; (2) as a result, Abbott's infant formula business was in dire jeopardy given the flagrant violations of federal and state health and safety regulations; (3) based on inspections by the FDA between 2019 and 2022, Abbott failed to establish process controls "designed to ensure that infant formula does not become adulterated due to the presence of microorganisms in the formula or in the processing environment" and Abbott also failed to "ensure that all surfaces that contacted infant formula were maintained to protect infant formula from being contaminated by any source"; (4) the unhygienic conditions of the Sturgis facility resulted in the recall of Abbott's infant formula and closure of the Sturgis facility; and (5) as a result, defendants' public statements about Abbott's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the Abbott class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=8453 mailto:or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.
No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Information:
Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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New York, NY 10016
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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2022/09/04/rosen-leading-law-firm-encourages-abbott-laboratories-investors-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-securities-class-action-abt/ | 2022-09-04T11:10:41Z | witn.com | control | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2022/09/04/rosen-leading-law-firm-encourages-abbott-laboratories-investors-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-securities-class-action-abt/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171 establish a forward arming and refueling point in support of U.S. Soldiers assigned to United States Army Aviation Battalion-Japan during exercise Orient Shield 22 at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Camp Ebino, Japan, Aug. 31, 2022. A FARP is a temporary expeditionary location used for fueling and rearming aircraft. Orient Shield 22 is the largest U.S. Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force bilateral field training exercise being executed in various locations throughout Japan to enhance interoperability and test and refine multi-domain and cross-domain operations.
This work, MWSS-171 finishes FARP operations: OrientShield22, by LCpl Ryan Ulibarri, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright. | https://www.dvidshub.net/video/856241/mwss-171-finishes-farp-operations-orientshield22 | 2022-09-04T11:19:03Z | dvidshub.net | control | https://www.dvidshub.net/video/856241/mwss-171-finishes-farp-operations-orientshield22 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
"Battery passports" could help electric cars qualify for tax credits
If automakers want their electric cars to qualify for newly revised federal tax credits, they must be able to certify the provenance of their batteries — potentially through the use of a "battery passport."
Why it matters: Strict supply chain requirements attached to the Inflation Reduction Act's restructured electric vehicle (EV) tax credits were meant to catalyze domestic manufacturing and bolster U.S. energy independence.
- A rising percentage of critical minerals must be mined or processed in the U.S. or a trading partner, for example, for a vehicle to qualify. None of the materials can come from "foreign entities of concern," like China or Russia.
- Tax credits can lower EVs' effective price, thus boosting adoption.
Yes, but: Tracing battery minerals from the mine, through multi-stage processing and, eventually, recycling is a huge challenge that many experts worry could end up slowing EV adoption.
- "When you're talking about elements on the periodic table at the beginning of your supply chain, it's got to be very difficult to track that all the way to your product," Sam Fiorani, vice president at AutoForecast Solutions, tells Axios.
What's happening: One company, Circulor, already uses blockchain technology to help carmakers like Volvo and Tesla trace their supply chains to avoid child labor and track carbon emissions.
- The U.K.-based company is now working with a German consortium to develop standards for a so-called battery passport that would track critical minerals and give batteries a UPC-like "digital identity."
How it works: Tracing battery minerals is similar to tracing the ingredients in a cake, Circulor CEO Douglas Johnson-Poensgen explained in an interview.
- Nickel sulfate mined in Australia, for example, would be weighed and placed in a bag that's given a digital identity. "We know this in the supermarket as the barcode on a can," he said.
- The nickel would then be shipped for processing alongside other materials like cobalt and manganese, in labeled batches, similar to large-scale food processing.
- The nickel is eventually turned into a black powder, and then a slurry, which is coated onto copper foil to make key components for battery cells. Those cells are then packed into modules for a car's battery pack, which is linked to its vehicle identification number.
- At the end of its life, the battery will be removed from the vehicle and used for energy storage, or recycled into the ingredients for the next generation of battery cells, preserving its digital history.
What they're saying: "I can create a chain of custody from source to consumption, where all the materials came from, even though those materials are processed and changed many times," Johnson-Poensgen said.
Reality check: For now, at least, most EV battery supply chains go through China.
- China processes around 73% of the world’s cobalt for batteries and 59% of the lithium, according to Benchmark Minerals.
- More than 90% of the world's battery cathodes and anodes also are produced in China.
The bottom line: Until the U.S. builds its own domestic battery supply chain — a work in progress that's beginning to accelerate — tracing will only prove that most of today's EVs won't qualify for a tax credit under the IRA. | https://www.axios.com/2022/09/02/battery-passport-ev-electric-cars-tax-credits | 2022-09-04T11:20:21Z | axios.com | control | https://www.axios.com/2022/09/02/battery-passport-ev-electric-cars-tax-credits | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Database for showing nursing home ownership has gaps, report says
A federal database intended to disclose nursing home ownership has spotty and incomplete information that can obscure whether a private equity firm controls a facility, a new report from Public Citizen finds.
Why it matters: A surge of private equity investment in the sector has coincided with worse health outcomes, studies show. And the pandemic put a spotlight on the quality of care after more than 200,000 long-term care facility residents and staff succumbed to COVID-19.
Yes, but: The private-equity industry cites other research showing the quality of its firms' care is comparable to other types of nursing homes and didn’t falter during COVID-19.
Flashback: During his first State of the Union speech in March, President Biden said he wanted to increase transparency around nursing homes, including the effects of private equity ownership.
- "As Wall Street firms take over more nursing homes, quality in those homes has gone down and costs have gone up. That ends on my watch," Biden said.
What they found: Only seven of the 13 private equity firms Public Citizen identified as owning nursing homes are listed in the federal database.
- One firm, Portopiccolo, which was recently profiled in the New Yorker for alleged questionable care practices, is nowhere to be found in the database, despite owning 136 nursing homes, according to Public Citizen.
- It's important to know who owns these nursing homes in order to hold companies accountable, said Taylor Lincoln, research director for Public Citizen and lead report author.
- "Nursing homes that I looked at owned by private equity firms aren't disclosing their owners in a comprehensive manner. The data is no good."
What's next: The Government Accountability Office expects to have two reports coming out soon looking further into the matter.
- Democratic members of the House Ways and Means Committee, who requested the reports, could pick up the issue next Congress. The Biden administration could also take further steps to enforce transparency via new regulations, said Lincoln. | https://www.axios.com/2022/09/02/private-equity-ownership-nursing-homes-remain-murky | 2022-09-04T11:20:40Z | axios.com | control | https://www.axios.com/2022/09/02/private-equity-ownership-nursing-homes-remain-murky | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
DeSantis, Youngkin split on road to '24
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis are two of the biggest names in Republican politics. But they're taking markedly different approaches toward campaigning in the midterms — and perhaps to 2024.
The big picture: Youngkin is bypassing MAGA-oriented gubernatorial candidates in favor of pragmatists running tough races in blue states. DeSantis has leaned into some of the party's most controversial nominees.
By the numbers: DeSantis has campaigned for 7 Senate or gubernatorial candidates this year. Six of them are Trump-endorsed.
- Youngkin has helped out, or is planning to help out, 10 GOP gubernatorial candidates. Just 3 of them have Trump's backing, and 8 of the 10 are running in states that President Biden carried in 2020.
The intrigue: Youngkin is only campaigning for one incumbent governor — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who Trump worked against during the primary.
There's only one gubernatorial candidate with committed support from both DeSantis and Youngkin: New Mexico's Mark Ronchetti, whom Trump has not endorsed.
What we're watching: DeSantis in August campaigned for several Trump-endorsed nominees, including Senate candidates J.D. Vance in Ohio and Blake Masters in Arizona.
- He also hit the trail for Pennsylvania gubernatorial nominee Doug Mastriano — whom the Republican Governors Association (RGA) has declined to back — as well as Kari Lake in Arizona.
- Youngkin's announced campaign swing doesn't include Arizona, where Lake is locked in a close contest. He's also poised to skip Pennsylvania, where Trump on Saturday will hold his first general election rally of 2022.
Youngkin isn't campaigning in Senate races, but he's either campaigning in person or holding fundraisers for GOP candidates for governor in Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, Nebraska, New Mexico and Oregon. Kansas will be added to that list.
- Both Youngkin and DeSantis will campaign for GOP House candidates in their home states.
What they're saying: DeSantis spokesperson Lindsey Curnutte tells Axios: "The Governor is supporting candidates who align with the freedom agenda we’ve created in Florida."
- Youngkin political adviser Kristin Davison told Axios: "He's excited to bring the spirit of Virginia to swing states that look a lot like Virginia did last year, turn blue states' culture of defeat into a spirit of winning, and help flip these purple and blue states red."
Our thought bubble: If Youngkin helps elect Republican governors in blue states like New Mexico and Oregon, while Trump and DeSantis' candidates in redder states fall to defeat, it would send a powerful message that Youngkin's mainstream conservative message is a winning one for the party. | https://www.axios.com/2022/09/02/youngkin-desantis-trump-midterms-republicans-2024 | 2022-09-04T11:20:52Z | axios.com | control | https://www.axios.com/2022/09/02/youngkin-desantis-trump-midterms-republicans-2024 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Political Pulse: New poll is a test balloon in Denver mayor's race
It increasingly sounds like state Rep. Leslie Herod may run for mayor of Denver in 2023.
What's happening: This week, Denver voters received a poll asking a battery of questions testing messages about candidates — and nearly all of the questions described Herod, according to a copy obtained by Axios Denver.
- In a few questions, the poll used dummy names (like candidate "Lewis") instead of Herod.
Details: One question gauging voter support read: "As Colorado's first LGBTQ African American state representative, [candidate] Lewis led the campaign to create Denver's mental health and addiction treatment program … [and] worked with police and protesters in 2020 to transform Colorado's approach to public safety."
- Other questions tested talking points like "fights for people like me" and "puts results over politics."
The intrigue: It's unclear who commissioned the poll.
What she's saying: Herod told us she's aware of the poll, but did not pay for it.
- As for whether she will run, Herod's remaining mum, but made clear she's interested.
The big picture: The poll also tested the favorability of other potential candidates, including council person Debbie Ortega,Walter Isenberg, Penfield Tate and Lisa Calderon.
- The signature question, however, is this: "Do you want someone who has the same style of leadership as Mayor Michael Hancock or is it time for a change…"
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Best Day Ever with Wayne County's Assad Turfe
Assad Turfe is always working to keep Wayne County government running smoothly.
Driving the news: Turfe, whose career started as a sheriff's deputy 20 years ago, was recently promoted to deputy county executive after serving as Executive Warren Evans' chief of staff for the last four years.
- "I rose through the ranks beginning at entry level, and I am very proud of that," Turfe tells Axios. "I started from the bottom and now I'm here."
We caught up with Turfe to learn about his new job and how he'd spend a perfect day in Detroit.
☕️ Morning activity: "I get up around 5am and begin my day with a cigar and black coffee first thing while reading the morning news."
- Turfe says he likes to shop for cigars at La Casa's cigar lounge downtown on Randolph Street.
⛔️ Lunch: Even on his best day ever, Turfe says he'd skip lunch "due to my commitment to intermittent fasting."
👟 Afternoon activity: "I like to pop in with my friend Al Bartell at Times Square Men's Custom Clothing on Livernois Avenue to get my wardrobe tightened up. I like wearing casual, stylish sneakers with my suits."
🥩 Dinner: "I like to go to the London Chop House with friends. I always start off with oysters for an appetizer and then I order the New York strip, medium, with a side of mac and cheese."
❤️ Evening activity: A walk with his 11-year-old son Abraham on the Riverwalk downtown.
- "Everywhere I go, my son is very quiet in the background. We spend a lot of time together … he's the most important thing in my life."
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Mel Tucker steals the show
Cigar-smoking Mel Tucker might just be the coolest college football coach in all of the land.
The intrigue: Michigan State's third-year coach is drawing national attention to the program through flashy recruiting tactics that involve riding in slingshot roadsters and a top notch visuals department.
- "We recruit nationally, so anything we can do on social media to sell our program, we're going to do it," he told the Associated Press.
Between the lines: Tucker worked his way up from making $400/month as a graduate assistant at MSU under Nick Saban in 1997 to now being the highest-paid Black coach in sports.
- Tucker, who landed a 10 year, $95 million contract last year, spoke to the AP about the ways Black coaches face greater challenges while climbing the coaching ladder.
- "My dad can't make a call," Tucker said. "Obviously it's not what you know, it's who you know — it is what it is."
What we're watching: Tucker's Spartans host Western Michigan University tonight at 7pm in East Lansing for the season opener.
- WMU's offensive coordinator, Jeff Thorne, is the father of starting Spartan quarterback Payton Thorne.
Meanwhile, Jim Harbaugh's Wolverines are dealing with a quarterback battle in Ann Arbor.
- 2021 starter Cade McNamara was named the starter for the season opener against Colorado State (noon tomorrow on ABC), while J.J. McCarthy is the Week 2 starter against Hawaii.
💭 Sam's thought bubble: Tucker has single- handedly sparked my renewed interest in college football, which I haven't felt since Western Michigan's P.J. Fleck days.
💭 Joe's thought bubble: I'm weary of college coach worship (hello, Coach K), but I can't help loving Tucker. MSU's tenacity last season seemed like a direct reflection of his influence.
- His pregame speech before last season's U of M game — goosebumps.
- And yes, I went to MSU.
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At Miami's new Bayshore Club, the bar is the star
I recently stopped by the fancy new Bayshore Club, which opened this summer on the Coconut Grove waterfront.
- The former Scotty's Landing space where I used to order a burger in flip flops now calls for chic outfits and making reservations in advance.
The intrigue: As with so much of Miami, the draw here is the real estate.
- The location offers bay views, a sea breeze, a roomy patio bar, Instagrammable backgrounds, and trendy modern architecture.
Yes, but: The drawback is the appetizers. A plate of rubbery, room-temperature calamari rings ($15) left my dining companion declaring them "the worst I've ever had."
- The ceviche ($18) wasn't the most appealing either. Instead of being marinated in simple, clear citrus juices, Bayshore Club's version arrived in a creamy, day-glo yellow sauce.
Main courses were an improvement. The Lime and Pepper Rare Crusted Tuna ($33) was fresh, but its pairing with a plain lump of coconut white rice failed to wow.
- The Low Country Shrimp and Grits ($29) was far more interesting, with toothsome crustaceans and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar bacon, English peas and heirloom tomatoes.
Thankfully, disappointment can be washed away with a well-crafted cocktail.
- Named with a nod to the area's history as a Pan Am airline base, both the Come Fly With Me (Aperol, prosecco, passion fruit puree and lime for $19) and Tropical Paper Plane (Maker's Mark bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, passion fruit puree and lemon for $18) proved perfect, not-too-strong refreshments for a balmy evening.
- Plus: The wine menu is extensive.
Visit: 3391 Pan American Dr. Open for dinner 4-11pm Sunday-Wednesday and until 12am Thursday-Saturday.
- Lunch runs 11:30am-4pm Monday-Friday, and brunch is offered 10am-4pm on the weekend.
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Sep 2, 2022 - News
Virginians aren’t living as long
COVID-19 lowered Virginians' life expectancy by 1.5 years from 2019 to 2020, according to newly released CDC data.
Why it matters: The pandemic is taking a toll on our health.
- Increases in unintentional injuries, specifically drug overdose deaths, also contributed.
By the numbers: Our life expectancy was 79.1 years in 2019, but dropped to 77.6 in 2020.
- Virginia still did better than the rest of the country, which declined 1.8 years to 77.3 years old.
- The greatest declines were in New York, with a three-year drop, and D.C. (2.7 years). The lowest decline was in Hawaii (0.2 years).
The big picture: According to preliminary 2020-21 data from the CDC, U.S. life expectancy dropped a historic 2.7 years between 2019-21.
- It's the largest two-year drop since the 1920s.
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Hot homes: 5 D.C.-area homes for sale under $750,000
This week's hot homes roundup features five properties on the market between $499,000 and $725,000.
429 20th St. NE #1 - $499,000
Why we love it: The renovated open-concept home features quality finishes, including quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances, with the H Street Corridor nearby.
- Neighborhood: Rosedale
- Specs: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 960 square feet
- Listed by: Julie Visperas at Samson Properties
- Features: Outdoor space, parking, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances
2802 Bruce Pl. SE - $499,000
Why we love it: A great spot for entertaining, with a large backyard, fully finished basement, and sunroom.
- Neighborhood: Randle Heights
- Specs: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,846 square feet
- Listed by: Juan Umanzor at Long & Foster
- Features: Stainless steel appliances, double ovens, sunroom, front and backyard
6005 44th Ave. Hyattsville - $639,900
Why we love it: The renovated home has a large backyard and deck, new Samsung appliances, with shopping and dining in nearby downtown Hyattsville.
- Neighborhood: Hyattsville
- Specs: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,622 square feet
- Listed by: Felicia Brewster at RLAH @properties
- Features: Hardwood floors, fireplace, finished basement, large backyard
9900 Hynson Dr. Manassas - $675,000
Why we love it: The brick home sits on over an acre and is perfect for entertaining, with a firepit and pool in the backyard.
- Neighborhood: Manassas
- Specs: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,536 square feet
- Listed by: Anita Vida-D'Antonio at Coldwell Banker
- Features: Renovated open kitchen, large private lot, pool, two-car garage
973 N Pegram St. Alexandria - $725,000
Why we love it: The charming, single-family home sits on a tree-lined street street with a fully finished basement, a cozy fireplace, and hardwood flooring.
- Neighborhood: Alexandria
- Specs: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,525 square feet
- Listed by: Herbert Riggs at Compass
- Features: Four-sided brick home, hardwood floors, fireplace, finished basement
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Where to watch the top college football teams in D.C.
The college football season is starting up, and while D.C. isn’t known for being a football town, it is home to tons of enthusiastic transplants eager to cheer on their alma maters.
Here’s where you can find alumni from the top-ranked teams this season.
🏈 Alabama: The Crimson Tide this season will roll through Proper 21 in Foggy Bottom and Salazar on 14th.
- D.C. alumni chapter members will have priority seating, but all 'Bama fans are welcome.
- Look out for special game day menu items, including Yellow Hammers and buffalo chicken dip.
🏈 Ohio State: THE Ohio State Buckeyes will cheer from Solly’s on U Street and Blackfinn in Farragut Square.
- The OSU Alumni Club of Washington, DC has other game day watch party locations in Northern Virginia and Maryland.
- A portion of watch party proceeds benefits OSU scholarship funds.
🏈 Georgia: Bark with the Bulldogs at Franklin Hall on Florida Ave. NW or Dirty Water on H St. NE.
- There’s also an Arlington watch party at Courthaus Social.
- Check out the game day drink specials – including an open bar deal at Dirty Water.
🏈 Clemson: The Tigers will cheer from Mission Navy Yard this season.
- There are additional watch parties in Arlington, Rockville, and Baltimore.
- Watch party bars will donate to the Clemson Club scholarship fund.
🏈 Notre Dame: The local Irish will fight from Parlay DC on Wisconsin Ave., Penn Quarter Sports Tavern, and the Dubliner on Capitol Hill this season.
- Expect food and drink specials on game day.
- Stay tuned for another watch party location in NoVa.
The local angle: None of our regional teams are in the AP’s top 25 this season, but maybe if you cheer extra hard at their watch parties they’ll rise in the rankings.
- Virginia Tech: Public Bar Live and Ballston Local.
- UMD: Lou’s City Bar and Metrobar (for the Oct. 15 charity game).
Editor's note: This story has been updated to add UMD fans can also gather at Metrobar on Oct. 15 to watch their team play the charity game.
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Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital
Flumerfelt -- To Robert and Amanda Flumerfelt of Yakima, a son, Clay James Flumerfelt, 7 pounds, 4 ounces, at 4:57 p.m. on Aug. 13, 2022. Grandparents are Don and Tracie Hodgson of Yakima, and Steve Flumerfelt and Melonie and James Day of Yakima.
Boggs -- To Shane Boggs and Ivy Clayton of Wapato, a daughter, Georgette Evelyn Francis Clayton Boggs, 7 pounds, 3 ounces, at 10:18 p.m. on Aug. 12, 2022. Grandparent is Shane Boggs.
Garza – To Jeremias Garza and Arlene Quesada of Yakima, a son, Carter King Garza, 7 pounds, 2 ounces, at 8:12 p.m. on Aug. 13, 2022. Grandparents are Anda Quesada, and Lydia and Mario Garza.
Heineke -- To Derrick and Kaitlyn Heineke of Yakima, a daughter, Colette Morgan Heineke, 7 pounds, 6.8 ounces, on Aug. 18, 2022.
Archer -- To Brooks and Lauren Archer of Yakima, a son, Drew Dean Archer, 6 pounds, 12 ounces, at 6:34 a.m. on Aug. 11, 2022.
Diaz -- To Andrè Diaz and Alexandra Maldonado of Selah, a daughter, Evangelina Stella-Rose Diaz, 8 pounds, 1 ounce, at 5 p.m. on Aug. 16, 2022. Grandparents are Angelina Fuentes and Jorge Maldonado of Yakima, and Anne Diaz of Yakima.
Dragoo – To Todd and Lisa Dragoo of Moxee, a son, Canyon Anthony Dragoo, 6 pounds, 12 ounces, at 8:10 a.m. on Aug. 16, 2022. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/community/births/births-for-sept-4/article_809ac3b0-2714-11ed-b519-071f67729f1c.html | 2022-09-04T11:36:44Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/community/births/births-for-sept-4/article_809ac3b0-2714-11ed-b519-071f67729f1c.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Yakima Coffeehouse Poets, a nonprofit formed in 2014 to represent the interests of poets and poetry lovers in Central Washington, is the organization behind this monthly poetry column, which runs the first Sunday of every month. It features inland Washington poets and poems selected from Poet’s Brew and the monthly Yakima Coffeehouse Poets open mic.
Learn more about the organization at www.yakimacoffeehousepoets.com and www.facebook.com/YakimaCoffeeHousePoets.
About the poet
Carol Cox is a business owner in Ellensburg. Over her years in business, her store has hosted numerous open mics, live music performances, art showings and poetry readings.
Pinocchio
My name is Pinocchio.
I am a girl
A pretty little doll
Set upon a shelf
To be taken down and played with by real people.
Dance little puppet, dance.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
All my life I have dreamed of being a real person
To cut the strings that bind me.
And dance freely to my own rhythms.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
My Father was a real person.
My mother was a puppet.
My Brother was a real person.
My sister was a puppet like me.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
They lied to me and told me I was real
But I could see the truth.
The real children ran rough, rowdy, and wild on the playground.
They tugged my braids
And pinched my skin.
"That means they like you" the adults said.
So I tried to join their play, running after them with kisses,
But my tethers stopped me short.
"That's not becoming a young lady."
"Pretty is as pretty does."
They placed me back on my shelf,
Legs primly crossed.
"Set there and think about what you've done."
"Don't speak until you're spoken to."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
So I stayed on my shelf
Reading fables about pretty little princesses
Waiting for handsome princes to rescue them
So that they could live happily ever after.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
My sister was a cheerleader.
She dated the football star.
I was an awkward eleven year old girl.
I wanted to be a pretty doll like her.
One bright azure day in fall my mother took her out of town to the Doctor.
Hushed voices in the living room, punctuated by the angry rise of my Father's voice, when they returned.
My sister dropped out of high school.
She spent the gray winter months cloistered in her room as her belly swelled.
I would sometimes see her former boyfriend playing rough, and rowdy, and wild on the football field.
One frosty night in early spring my sister went to the hospital.
When she returned her belly no longer swelled.
Her arms and her spirit were empty
A puppet slumped on her shelf.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
As I entered middle school my awkward angles became awkward curves.
The real people became more emboldened and persistent with their grabs.
"That means they like you."
I snuck in the school bathroom to doll up my face with the makeup my parents had forbidden.
I dressed in clothes that accentuated my budding bumps.
"She's asking for it."
"Slut."
"Whore."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
At the age of seventeen I moved in with an older man who my parents disapproved of.
I had his child.
A few weeks after my son was born I went out with friends for the first time in months.
I felt exhilarated by my taste of freedom.
When I returned my baby's Father yanked my tethers.
He throw me on the floor and pummeled my face purple and bloody.
"You better learn your place."
"You made your bed. Now lie in it."
I stayed for awhile, but after a night of shattering glass, my son trembling in my arms, I took him and left.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I went to work in a group home where the state placed children that nobody wanted -- not even foster homes.
One girl had been in dozens of foster homes by the age of ten.
Many girls had been impregnated by their Fathers, or other family members.
Many more children had been sexually abused by family members.
Others had, in turn, sexually abused other children.
One boy was the father of four (known) children by the age of fourteen.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I was working graveyards in the group home.
Going to school days,
While trying to be a good mom,
And balancing an unstable relationship,
When I had my abortion.
One in four women I am told,
But I felt so alone.
"Murderer."
"Baby killer."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
From time to time politicians would visit the group home where I worked.
I recognized them as the puppet masters.
They had the power to change things.
They had the power to pass laws that would release the strings,
But of course they didn't.
They want to hold on to their power.
Political posturing and photo ops.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I recall watching, with rapt attention, the Clarence Thomas hearings for Supreme Court Justice --
Supreme Puppet Master.
I marveled at Anita Hill's calm dignity as she spoke truth to power,
Only to be belittled and ridiculed by the puppet masters.
I remember feeling as if something had died inside of me as I turned off the television --
A miscarriage of justice, of hope, of validity.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
All these memories are from very long ago.
I am no longer a pretty little doll.
I am tattered and battered from a lifetime of experiences.
My hair is gray.
My stuffing is unraveling.
I have lost my teeth.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
And I am very real.
The totality of my experiences,
The hardships,
The challenges,
The victories,
The defeats,
All the people I have ever known, loved, nurtured, and lost
Have solidified into the reality of my existence
A kaleidoscope radiating outward in a Big Bang explosion
Ultraviolet
Neon
Super nova
Primal screaming "I am!"
And each and every woman, who is, or has ever been, is her own unfolding universe.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Today the Supreme Puppet Masters overturned Roe vs. Wade.
High above us they perch in the rafters
Black cloaks billowing with self importance
Like dark angels
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I raise my arms.
With a snip I sever the cord.
I watch as the cloaks swirl aloft
Giant birds of prey
And then fall flaccidly to the ground beneath my feet.
I bend down and strap on my dancing shoes.
I twist and shout. I do the fandango.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I look around
And see a flash mob of woman, men, allies,
Each reaching up to unloose the bindings,
And join in the dance.
They dance in the streets.
They dance on the ceiling.
They dance the watusi, the two-step, and the tango.
Matilda is waltzing
Ballerinas pirouette
pole dancers undulate
Grandmothers shake their groove thing.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
While beneath our feet,
Stiletto staccatos rend, tear, grind, the masters' robes
Until there is nothing left but ash,
And can-can kicks scatter the ash like confetti
To be swept away into the dustbins of history. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/explore_yakima/coffeehouse-poets-pinocchio-by-carol-cox/article_5a2b639e-2983-11ed-a44a-4b6b18089aa4.html | 2022-09-04T11:36:56Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/explore_yakima/coffeehouse-poets-pinocchio-by-carol-cox/article_5a2b639e-2983-11ed-a44a-4b6b18089aa4.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
There are times when I want to kick myself for not planting garlic. Grocery store garlic is not expensive, but many times I have torn apart a bulb to find most cloves dried out and lacking that “garlicky goodness.” For larger bulbs, garlic should be planted now to enjoy next summer.
Garlic (Allium sativum) has been grown for thousands of years for its culinary and medicinal properties.
Garlic comes in two forms: Hardneck garlic is the hardiest form, producing cloves around a woody stem that send up curly flower stalks. This is the most cold-hardy of the garlics, and has a milder flavor. Softneck garlic forms cloves around a soft neck or stem, which braids easily. Softneck garlic is most commonly found in supermarkets due to a longer storage life. Another favorite is elephant garlic, which produces larger cloves with a mild taste.
Garlic requires full sun (at least six hours a day). It is best started by direct seed garlic that can be purchased through garden centers, catalogs and online websites. There are many publications that encourage planting garlic bulbs purchased at the grocery store, but due to the likelihood of diseases being present on the bulb, that is not encouraged by more reliable sources.
Plant your garlic in early to mid-fall. Pick the largest bulbs you can find, as the size of the cloves you plant will determine whether you get big or small heads when you harvest. Soil should be loose with compost worked in to support root growth. Mulch can be used to protect plants from cold damage during the winter and to prevent weeds. Spread 3 to 4 inches of mulch over the planting area. Large cloves that are clean, injury-free and dry should be planted so the tops are 2 inches below the soil line. Break open the bulbs and plant the cloves flat side down and pointed-side up. Plant 4 to 6 inches apart in rows that are spaced 12 to 14 inches apart. Do not worry if sprouts come up prior to cold weather as they will go dormant.
Planting areas should be kept free of weeds and plant debris. Rotation of plantings on a three-year basis will reduce the probability of diseases and pests. Do not plant onions in the same area as garlic as they are susceptible to many of the same diseases and pests.
When spring growth begins, water to keep the soil slightly moist and fertilize with a high-nitrogen fertilizer applied every two weeks until bulbs start to form. Cut off any curly flowering stems (or scapes) at the top leaf to redirect energy to the bulb. If you harvest your scapes young and tender, you can chop them into salads or use them as a topping, like scallions.
Stop watering when the tops of the plants begin to fall over and dry up, about two to four weeks before harvest, usually late June to mid-July. Many gardeners wait to harvest until about half the leafy growth has turned brown, usually August or September.
Garlic is more susceptible to diseases such as rust, mold and mildew than to pests.
Do not damage bulbs during harvest, as this will cause deterioration during storage. Remove any soil from the bulb and roots gently. Place the garlic with tops intact in a dry, cool, well-ventilated place to cure. Remove stems and store in mesh bags or braid and hang in bunches. After three to four weeks, the garlic will be cured and will keep for up to six months if stored at lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Garlic can be used raw and crushed in dressings, salsa, butters, etc. Whole bulbs or individual cloves can be roasted to serve with roast meat or can be fried to use as the base for sauces, casseroles and soups. Another trick is to put a few pealed cloves in a jar with oil, such as olive oil or grapeseed oil, and place in the refrigerator. This will allow you to use the garlic-flavored oils in cooking.
And remember, it is always important to enjoy the “fruits of your labor” -- this time in culinary delights. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/explore_yakima/master-gardeners-it-s-time-to-plant-your-garlic/article_763af490-28a3-11ed-bb15-57b66ddef282.html | 2022-09-04T11:37:02Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/explore_yakima/master-gardeners-it-s-time-to-plant-your-garlic/article_763af490-28a3-11ed-bb15-57b66ddef282.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
‘Where are you going, girlfriend?” asks Victoria Wright, reaching down to tickle her daughter’s side.
Seven-month-old Nadia is on her belly on a blue quilt play mat. Her arms and legs are propellers, rotating quickly like they’ll carry her away at any moment. Her movements and wide grin are mirrored by her twin brother, Angel, who is sprawled out at her side.
These two smiling babies have been the center of Wright’s world since she found out late last year that she was pregnant with twins, weeks after their father died of an overdose and she lost her housing at the Savoy apartment building in downtown Yakima.
Wright was one of about 30 people evicted from the Savoy Apartments at 322 W. Yakima Ave. The building was boarded up Aug. 23, 2021, four months after it was condemned because of numerous health and safety deficiencies.
A year after being displaced from that building, Wright is approaching important milestones, including 11 months of abstinence from drugs and preparing to move into her own apartment.
While she is an example of someone who has seen positive changes since the Savoy’s closure, many former residents are still experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Turmoil and grief
Stacking her belongings against a fence outside of the Savoy last August, Wright was moving through a fog of grief and shock.
At the time, she was a mother of two, and the father of one of her children had died two days earlier of an overdose. She remembers waking up in the middle of the night and seeing his face turn blue. She administered naloxone and called for an ambulance, but he died that night.
Wright had a limited support system and was now unhoused, facing fresh trauma and homelessness.
After getting what she could out of her apartment, she found a ride and stored her things with family.
Wright’s next stop was to get a hotel voucher supplied by local homeless service providers, but she said she wasn’t able to redeem the voucher because she had left her lease behind at the apartment. Now, Wright says that may have actually been a good thing.
“The vouchers they gave you put you right back on North First Street, right back in the middle of it,” Wright said.
With nowhere else to go — and what she said was too much pride to seek help at a shelter — Wright lived on the streets, camping along Naches Parkway for several weeks before moving in with family.
It was at that point that she began to notice she was gaining weight, and soon after, she discovered she was pregnant with twins.
Getting healthy
With housing, health and her children on her mind, Wright sought an assessment at Triumph Treatment Services in Yakima and began in-patient treatment for substance use.
Her treatment was well underway when she was hit with another round of debilitating news: Her developing son, Angel, had a neural tube defect called spina bifida, which left his spinal nerves exposed through a sac on his back.
Wright’s doctors recommended she visit the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle to monitor the defect, but Wright was reluctant to leave in-patient treatment. She turned down an offer to stay in a hotel in the Seattle area to visit the hospital, fearing she would relapse without support.
“I had already been there. I felt like it would take me right back to where I was,” Wright said.
Instead, she transferred to a recovery program in Everett, where she was able to continue her treatment from where she left off and make regular trips to the medical center for check-ups.
Her twins were born in February, and Wright graduated from the treatment program in May. She then moved back to Yakima, where she had secured transitional housing through Triumph.
“Housing was on my mind the whole time,” she said. “I knew I needed a place to come back to, and before I left, they promised me one.”
Then and now
Wright lived at the Savoy for about seven months before the building was boarded up.
Her apartment was near the fire escape, and her window wasn’t secure. She said she could often hear people clamoring up the fire escape at night and feared they would climb through her window.
People acting as security could enter her unit at any time, banging the door open to look for things that needed repair, she said. Wright said the repairs that were completed were trivial: Doors were replaced and walls were painted. But the serious issues — mold, water damage, asbestos, cockroaches — weren’t addressed, she said.
Other dangers to health were present in the building. Wright said needles were left on the hallway floor and crumpled piles of foil sat in the bathroom. She witnessed several overdoses in the building, including that of her children’s father.
“It was inhumane,” she said. “I could have moved at any time, but I didn’t have anywhere else to go.”
A year later, now living in transitional housing and about to move into her own apartment, Wright said the difference is stark.
“Now I can go to sleep when I want to,” she said. “Everything is clean. I have a clean bathroom.”
She said she’s no longer experiencing the chaos of that place and that life.
“This was all just normal to me at the time,” she said. “It’s sad to think that it was normal.”
Milestones
As she makes the transition to a new home, Wright is also preparing for several other milestones.
Seven-month-old Angel is undergoing surgery for his spina bifida this month. He also has torticollis, a muscular condition that causes his head to tilt to the left, but otherwise the twins are healthy, Wright said.
Angel has been able to move his legs and feet since he was born, and Wright is hoping that won’t change with the surgery.
Wright also recently regained custody of her oldest son, Kendrick, 9, and he started school this past week.
She goes to visit her middle son, Nixon, frequently. The 2-year-old has lived with Wright’s grandmother, Elizabeth Salinas, since he was 4 months old.
He ran around Salinas’ living room on a recent afternoon, spinning on a toy and reciting the colors and shapes of blocks while his younger siblings played on the mat.
Salinas said Wright has always loved visiting Nixon, showing up regularly for visits even while she was still using.
“I always trusted her,” Salinas said. “People need someone to be there for them, to believe in them.”
Wright is approaching 11 months of abstinence from drugs, a milestone she said she hasn’t reached since she was 15 or 16 years old.
“It’s an accomplishment,” she said. “It took losing their father for me to get clean. (His death) was unfortunate, but he left me with three blessings,” she said, meaning her children.
Other residents
Wright said she hasn’t had much contact with former Savoy residents, in part because she has distanced herself from places and people she associates with her drug use.
“Just for my own safety, I stay away from that,” she said.
Other residents have had their own trajectories since being evicted, and many are still experiencing homelessness or near homelessness.
Former resident Maureen Leavitt recently said she was still living on the street. She was able to stay in her vehicle for a while, but her truck was recently totaled.
“I don’t know what to do now,” Leavitt said.
Former resident Mindee Jo Moorcroft has moved from place to place since leaving the Savoy, where she lived for about a year before the building was closed.
The 55-year-old initially received a voucher for a seven-day stay at the Bali Hai Motel on North First Street. She completed that stay and then moved to Toppenish, where the Yakama Nation put her up in a motel for several months.
Her stay in Toppenish ended this summer, but all the while she had been attempting to rent her own place.
“I found several places to rent, but the programs here are really hard,” Moorcroft said.
She found one rental unit that she could have obtained through Neighborhood Health, but the agency needed to inspect the place first.
“The (manager) didn’t want to keep holding the place until they decided to get someone out there,” Moorcroft said.
After that, she spent a night at a friend’s house so she wasn’t on the street, which she said disqualified her from the program.
“Since I spent one night there at that place, I didn’t qualify for the program. I had to stay on the street,” Moorcroft said. “It was just one thing after another.”
Moorcroft has chronic health issues that make it difficult to work, and her Social Security check doesn’t provide enough to pay for housing at a hotel or motel for a full month.
Even if she could get a job, she said she doesn’t know where she’ll be next week or next month. She also wouldn’t have someone to watch her dog, Sebastian, while she’s away.
“I’m just devastated,” she said. “You know, it’s hot out and I’ve been sick.”
Most recently, Moorcroft has had a temporary setup at a friend’s house but was trying to secure a different place for herself, either an apartment or a vehicle.
“I’m kind of staying with someone right now, but it’s just not a good situation,” she said.
Stuck in a cycle
Moorcroft said her experience looking for housing has been a cycle of finding a place that could work but losing it while waiting for an inspection or being turned away because of her situation.
“When you’re labeled homeless, everybody looks at you different and people don’t want to help you,” she said. “You go to fill out a paper for a rental application or whatever, and if you say that you’re homeless, they’re not going to rent to you.”
She said the process of applying and being repeatedly turned away is stressful. She doesn’t have a personal phone or computer, so she can’t fill out applications online from home. She also doesn’t have a vehicle, which makes scheduling or getting to appointments nearly impossible.
“It’s just wandering around trying to find somewhere where you’re safe and cool and where you’re not getting chased out,” she said. “And trying to get to an appointment when you’re homeless, that’s like a joke.”
She sometimes goes to a friend’s house or gets a room at a motel. She said she has found one place where the manager is flexible, letting her pay by the day or giving her a few extra hours past check-out time to come up with the money for another night.
“He’s one of the kindest motel operators in town, I believe,” Moorcroft said. “The rooms aren’t the Taj Mahal or anything, but there’s no bugs in them and they’re livable. You’ve got a microwave and a fridge, and he keeps all the riffraff out of there.”
A single night at a motel is helpful to catch up on rest, she said, because sleeping on the streets isn’t really sleeping.
“Even if you lay your head down, you have to be awake and be alert so that you don’t get jumped or raped or murdered,” Moorcroft said.
Broader impact
About 670 people representing 554 households were experiencing homelessness in Yakima County on a single day this year, an increase of about 3.6%, according to the annual Point-In-Time survey conducted this past February.
About 183 of those individuals were unsheltered, and the majority — 68% — were experiencing homelessness for the first time.
The closure of the Savoy Apartments left at least 30 residents and dozens of other individuals who weren’t official residents of the building unhoused, potentially driving those numbers.
Service providers in the community knew the Savoy’s closure was serious and worked together to help. The Homeless Network of Yakima County, Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, Camp Hope and the Yakima Union Gospel Mission were on site last year to help connect Savoy residents with emergency services.
Residents who were disabled or elderly or families with young children could apply for vouchers. They could also obtain funds for housing deposits or application fees, and emergency shelter was available at Camp Hope and the Union Gospel Mission.
Camp Home Director Mike Kay said his agency took in between eight and 10 people from the Savoy.
“From an organizational standpoint, we were structured to be able to take that influx in, so that was good,” Kay said.
He said Consistent Care’s Yakima office took two additional couples from the Savoy into its program and began working with them to secure housing. Consistent Care didn’t respond to a request for comment for this article, but Kay said the agency placed the individuals into assisted living facilities where they would get needed care.
Of the individuals who came to Camp Hope, Kay said many had experienced past traumas that affected their lives, in addition to dealing with the new trauma of being displaced from their home.
“What I recall from that time is just a lot of advocating for people, a lot of trying to get people to give a provider another chance,” or for service providers to give an individual another chance, he said.
“Sometimes people in homelessness, they don’t understand some of the processes that it takes to get them help … or maybe they’ve been to the (service provider) two or three times and haven’t followed through on appointments,” Kay continued.
For challenges like getting to appointments, Kay said Camp Hope’s wraparound services can help people leapfrog ahead.
“Having the services right there on campus with them was a game changer for a lot of them,” he said, though he said he didn’t immediately know the specific outcomes of the former Savoy residents.
The shelter team at Union Gospel Mission couldn’t identify any former Savoy residents at the shelter last month, though Mary Broussard said the organization’s services are still available to individuals who need it.
Neighborhood Health did not respond to a request for comment for this article.
More is needed
Though many of these agencies did offer support at the Savoy, the loss of housing had a major impact for the displaced residents, and Wright and Moorcroft said the community needs to do more.
Wright said more outreach or education is needed to reach people where they are at.
“People need access to these services,” she said.
Wright also advocates for programs that promote safe drug use, such as needle exchanges or fentanyl test kits. Making those programs or items available can save lives, she said.
Moorcroft wants to see the stigma around homelessness and drug use change, and she said agencies should work on distributing the funds they have to people who need it most.
“There’s still so many people out here, and I know that they’re experiencing the same thing I am,” she said. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/former-savoy-residents-on-new-paths-after-yakima-apartment-building-was-condemned-last-year/article_42d8ceb4-2af2-11ed-8457-9face53d0eb9.html | 2022-09-04T11:37:08Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/former-savoy-residents-on-new-paths-after-yakima-apartment-building-was-condemned-last-year/article_42d8ceb4-2af2-11ed-8457-9face53d0eb9.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Of all the places in the world, Disneyland ranks among the most nostalgic in my book.
There’s something about the iconic theme park’s whimsical nature that transports me back to my younger days. Really, the combination of exciting rides, captivating shows and picturesque sights is what gives Disneyland its magic. The same can be said of its neighboring theme park, Disney California Adventure.
This summer, my family and I made a return trip to “the happiest place on Earth” after having not been to the park since 2017. Since this summer’s trip marked my fifth visit to both Disneyland and California Adventure, I have formed strong opinions on the parks’ best rides, scenery, restaurants and shows.
Today, I will share with you what I consider to be the best attractions that you simply must experience should you visit Disneyland and California Adventure in the future.
Best ride: Rise of the Resistance
Every ride at Disneyland and California Adventure has its own unique flavor, making it difficult to choose my personal favorite. What puts the relatively new "Star Wars"-themed attraction, Rise of the Resistance, ahead of the pack is the immersive experience it offers.
Part of Disneyland’s new "Star Wars"-themed area, which opened in 2019, Rise of the Resistance is well worth waiting for in its typically hourlong line. Without spoiling too many of the attraction’s surprises, I can say that the ride transports visitors into the "Star Wars" universe and replicates sights from the movies with top-notch accuracy.
While people who have seen the "Star Wars" films may have a greater appreciation for the ride, it can be enjoyed by all guests.
Best scenery: Main Street, U.S.A.
When you first enter Disneyland, the iconic Main Street, U.S.A. is one of the first things you’ll see. Stretching several blocks and leading directly toward the picturesque Sleeping Beauty Castle, Main Street, U.S.A. is designed to resemble a small town in the early 20th century. The street is lined with variety of shops, restaurants and photo-ops.
If you visit Disneyland, be sure to take advantage of all the classic street has to offer.
Best restaurant: Flo’s V8 Cafe
Located in California Adventure’s Cars Land, Flo’s V8 Cafe stands out for two reasons. First, it is a replica of a restaurant from the “Cars” movies, which really adds to the dining experience. Secondly, the menu offers a variety of choices, which is a refreshing change considering that the menus at many Disneyland and California Adventure restaurants are quite similar.
Best show: “Fantasmic!”
As the name suggests, “Fantasmic!” is a fantastical nighttime water show that has been a Disneyland staple since 1992. The spectacle uses a combination of live performers, water effects and uplifting music to tell the tale of how Mickey Mouse defeats an evil queen with the power of his imagination.
While that may sound a bit cheesy, “Fantasmic!” really captures the essence of what Disneyland is all about: imagination, creativity and fun.
• Natalie Keller is a senior at Selah High School. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/unleashed/reviews/four-disneyland-attractions-that-help-make-it-the-happiest-place-on-earth/article_cd5e7361-0deb-5071-a2a3-11b33abfd71a.html | 2022-09-04T11:37:14Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/unleashed/reviews/four-disneyland-attractions-that-help-make-it-the-happiest-place-on-earth/article_cd5e7361-0deb-5071-a2a3-11b33abfd71a.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Carol McGiffin will be a familiar face for many people, most likely due to her long-running role on hit ITV daytime talk show Loose Women. But while you may feel you know her well through the anecdotes told on the programme, very few people know much about her life before her career in front of the camera.
Carol lived in Kent's largest town, Maidstone, with her siblings. She originally starred on Loose Women more than 20 years ago, with her first appearance back in 2000.
She has appeared alongside an array of co-stars during her many years on the show, including Nadia Sawalha, Frankie Bridge and Stacey Solomon, just to name a few. The star is said to have gained an impressive net worth for her dedication to on-screen performances, such as this.
READ MORE: M2 to be partly closed until January as road works take place
According to CelebrityNetWorth, she has a net worth of $9 million. This is the equivalent of over £7 million.
Before she began a career in television, she lived a relatively simple and quiet family life in Maidstone. She grew up in the Kent town alongside her sisters Kim and Tracy, and her brother Mark.
Carol is a survivor of 2004's Indian Ocean earthquake, best recognised to many as the 'Boxing Day tsunami'. She returned to Maidstone to reunite with her family and to take part in a Race for Life to raise money for the charity Cancer Research UK in memory of her mother.
Who is Carol McGiffin's ex-husband?
In 1991, Carol married her now ex-husband Chris Evans. Chris is best recognised as an English television presenter, radio DJ, businessman, voice actor and radio and television producer.
Just a couple of years after tying the knot, the pair separated in 1993 and were divorced five years later in 1998. In 2018, Chris' third wife Natasha Shishmanian gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl.
At the time, Chris said: "Ping and Pong arrived safe and well last night. Both healthy, both strong, happy and blessed, as was mum throughout."
Read next:
- Controlled explosion carried out in Tonbridge after hand grenade found
Man stabbed to death in Tonbridge named and pictured as two teenagers charged with murder
Warning signs of deadly heatstroke in dogs: drooling, drowsiness and vomiting
Old £20 and £50 notes must be spent this month before they are no longer legal tender
Five arrested after brawl outside Wetherspoons in Canterbury city centre | https://www.kentlive.news/news/celebs-tv/itv-loose-women-star-carol-7543437 | 2022-09-04T11:38:01Z | kentlive.news | control | https://www.kentlive.news/news/celebs-tv/itv-loose-women-star-carol-7543437 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Police have issued an urgent dashcam appeal to anyone who used the Dartford Crossing. It comes after Dotun Bademosi, 54, was reported missing from his home in Dartford at 5.20am on Friday (September 2).
After being registered as a missing person, police say his silver BMW saloon car was found abandoned on the A282 Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. Search teams are carrying out checks within the immediate area.
Officers want to speak to any witnesses who may have seen Dotun leaving his vehicle. They're also keen to speak to anyone who may have information regarding his whereabouts.
READ MORE: The couple running Kent's 'only' US retail store
Dotun is 54 years old and of a slim build. He has a shaven head and wears glasses. Anyone with information should call 999, quoting reference 02-0151.
If you have seen or heard anything you think we should know about, or in relation to this, please contact the KentLive newsdesk by email at kentlivenewsdesk@reachplc.com. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us via our Facebook page or on Twitter @kentlivenews.
Read next:
- Controlled explosion carried out in Tonbridge after hand grenade found
Man stabbed to death in Tonbridge named and pictured as two teenagers charged with murder
Warning signs of deadly heatstroke in dogs: drooling, drowsiness and vomiting
Old £20 and £50 notes must be spent this month before they are no longer legal tender
Five arrested after brawl outside Wetherspoons in Canterbury city centre | https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/missing-mans-car-found-abandoned-7544876 | 2022-09-04T11:38:06Z | kentlive.news | control | https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/missing-mans-car-found-abandoned-7544876 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
CHEYENNE – Billy Jack’s Pizza Pub will be there, whether you’re coming, going or just looking for a bite and a beer.
On Wednesday, the small-chain restaurant whose parent company is based out of Kearney, Nebraska, opened its third location, its second in Cheyenne, in the Cheyenne Regional Airport, 420 Airport Parkway West, Suite 1.
Originally, this location was scheduled to open in 2021 in tandem with the company’s storefront on South Greeley Highway, which is only operational via delivery and pickup. With construction delays hindering in the airport location’s schedule, the grand opening was pushed back until now.
The new airport location will have full dine-in service as well as a unique breakfast menu to accommodate for travelers. This will also be the first pizza restaurant in the city to open its doors at 5 a.m., in an effort to accommodate for those earlier flights from here to Denver International Airport.
Billy Jack’s was competing for this airport location from the start, according to founder and CEO Bill Winberg. While it was always a part of the business plan to secure this location, he told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle on Thursday, it’s still an exciting step.
“It’s still very exciting to have the success and be able to grow as fast as we are,” Winberg said. “There’s a really good following up there already. Hopefully, the word will spread, because everybody loves the food and loves the atmosphere.”
Due to the small size of this airport, Winberg has a unique expectation for the restaurant, one that airport Director of Aviation Tim Bradshaw apparently shares with him. Just like the restaurant that was featured within the airport’s original terminal on East 8th Avenue, they expect the majority of the client base to be non-travelers.
“With the following that we have, we’re pretty confident that it will become something like that,” Winberg said. “We’re all very familiar with the old Cloud Nine and how successful it was. We’re hoping that we can create that same type of scenario for this.”
But why is a Kearney, Nebraska-based pizza chain now outnumbering the outlets in their original location’s city with two stores in Cheyenne?
Simple. Winberg is a University of Wyoming graduate. The majority of Billy Jack’s shareholders are based in the Cheyenne area.
With this kind of support, the hope is that the airport and Billy Jack’s can develop a symbiotic relationship. The restaurant will give the relatively new airport more exposure, and the traffic of travelers and unique location for a community restaurant will attract customers.
The location also secured a bar and grill license, and provides a full-service bar. It is fully open to the public and customers do not have to be traveling to dine.
Billy Jack’s Pizza & Pub is open from 5 a.m.-10 p.m. every day. This location does not provide delivery or carry-out service. | https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/billy-jacks-pizza-pub-opens-airport-location/article_9f2ce292-2a50-11ed-af48-cbc65d0c8665.html | 2022-09-04T11:50:57Z | wyomingnews.com | control | https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/billy-jacks-pizza-pub-opens-airport-location/article_9f2ce292-2a50-11ed-af48-cbc65d0c8665.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
CHEYENNE — While more than a third of Wyomingites who borrowed federal student loans would have their debt completely wiped out by President Joe Biden’s loan forgiveness plan, Republicans in the state remain critical of the initiative and are weighing alternatives.
Many voiced their concerns this past week that it would be irresponsible spending, discriminatory and could lead to an increase in inflation. They want to find other ways to support Wyoming students through financial literacy classes, encouraging career and technical education, and pointing them toward state scholarship programs.
Forgiving loans for those who have already taken them out is not on the GOP agenda.
“The Biden loan forgiveness plan does not magically make these loans disappear, nor will it bring down the cost of higher education,” said Gov. Mark Gordon in a statement. “Instead, this new and poorly thought-through government handout transfers the debt from borrowers to hardworking taxpayers, some of whom already diligently paid off their loans or chose to forgo higher education. This, among the many other fiscal policy disasters this White House has created, will only exacerbate inflation and continue to increase the costs of everyday goods.”
Biden announced Aug. 24 that $10,000 in student loan relief would be provided to Americans who earn under $125,000 a year, or $250,000 for married couples or heads of households. He said up to $20,000 would be canceled for Pell grant recipients. There will be a final student loan pause extended through Dec. 31, and individuals with undergraduate loans can cap their repayments at 5% of their monthly income.
Biden said nearly 45% of borrowers, or close to 20 million people, would have their debt completely erased. Wyomingites would have a large percentage of its federal student loan borrowers’ debt canceled in the nation if the White House follows through with the announcement.
Lawmakers react
“While Wyoming boasts one of the most affordable post-secondary education systems in the country, half of those who attended colleges and trade schools have student debt,” Rep. Cathy Connolly, D-Laramie, told the WTE. “The Biden administration’s move to forgive a portion of student debt is a welcomed and bold gesture.”
She said since the Biden administration has already forgiven loan debt to Wyoming businesses, it makes sense to similarly forgive the debt of the state’s most valuable resource, its people. Connolly said this lets people prioritize meeting today’s bills and savings for the future – and pumps needed money into the Wyoming economy.
Some Republicans say it’s a misguided policy decision, and the challenges with student debt have to do with mismatching the number of academic programs with the actual needs for them in the job market.
Sen. Brian Boner, R-Douglas, said he believes the nation needs to focus on teaching useful skills in the career and technical field, instead of “doubling down on a failed policy.”
“We have been looking for ways to address this by pushing more career technical education,” he said. “Not only do you spend less time in school, but you also are going to have a useful skill set once you get out of school.”
Boner recommends programs such as Wyoming Works, or educating students on more affordable higher education choices such as community college, trade school or joining the military. The state senator said serving in the military was how he paid for school.
He wants to see reforms on how loans are given out.
“No other type of loan is treated this way, where you effectively get an 18-year-old kid to agree to such a large amount of debt with no ability to really pay it back,” Boner said. “I wish we would treat student loans more like every other type of loan, where there’s a little bit more discernment involved, and that way we can prevent these situations from happening in the future.”
Gov. Gordon backs improving financial literacy, so borrowers have a better understanding of loans’ financial terms.
Michael Pearlman, Gordon’s director of communications, said Wyoming subsidizes higher education in some ways other states do not. He mentioned the Hathaway Scholarship and the new Wyoming’s Tomorrow Scholarship, which was signed into law earlier this year.
Tuition
Scholarship availability was cited by Rep. Landon Brown, R-Cheyenne.
He said there’s a place for solutions to the cost of higher education at the state level, and Wyoming has “already done an amazing job at this point of making college very closely affordable.” He said there’s personal responsibility to apply for scholarships, because local colleges are practically begging every year for people to apply.
“Every single year that I’m in the Legislature, I continue to see new and improved ways for college to become more affordable,” he said. “I do think this state has done a very good job, and it’s even in our Constitution to be as nearly free as possible.”
The amount of student loan debt Wyomingites have is 20% lower than the national average, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s data, which Rep. Mike Yin, D-Jackson, applauded. He said he’s glad that the state has an education system that allows debt burdens to be lower, and he’s supports Biden’s initiative.
“If you’re someone who has student debt, it means you aren’t able to buy a house, or you aren’t able to start a business,” he said. “Now those Wyoming citizens are going to be able to take those opportunities and take those risks that they haven’t been able to.”
Yin wants to address the underlying issues in higher education costs. He said $10,000 to $20,000 doesn’t solve the problem of ballooning costs.
For anyone who criticizes the student debt plan, or argues it might contribute to inflation, Yin said he would question whether the tax cuts under former President Donald Trump’s administration were seen in the same light.
Costs
Critics recognize how the student loan relief plan will benefit borrowers, saying they are concerned with the economic repercussions and moral ambiguity.
They warned there is no real plan to pay for the student loan forgiveness, or any real estimation of the cost. Some worry about inflation from higher spending by those who otherwise would use the money to repay student loans.
“This will be a multi-million dollar program, and to my knowledge they have no disclosed how the program will be paid for,” Sen. Stephan Pappas, R-Cheyenne, said in a statement. “My fear is that this will just add to our already huge national debt, which is already more than $30 trillion. We must quit spending like we have.”
Wyoming Republican U.S. Sens. Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso voiced the same concerns. Lummis sent a statement to WTE, saying that according to the Penn Wharton model, it’s a reckless decision that will add $300 billion to the national debt.
Barrasso is a co-sponsor of the Debt Cancellation Accountability Act. It would require the U.S. Department of Education to obtain a congressional appropriation to pay for any federal student loan debt.
Pappas sees the program as discriminatory, because people who have already paid their loans have no ability to participate. He noted that once program funds are expended, it may be expected in the future, and this could further discriminate against students.
“And what about parents and students who took out personal loans or took it out of their savings? Will they get any relief?” he said. “If we want to be fair, there should be accommodation for those borrowers.”
Rep. Bill Henderson, R-Cheyenne, is among those worried about inflation. He said this may lead to higher fees and tuition.
Jacob Channel, Student Loan Hero senior economist and former Sheridan resident, said inflation is a possibility. He said because federal borrowers have had a pause on their student loan payments for the past two years, the extra money is already being spent or saved. This change, he expects, won’t have as big an impact.
Jasmine Hall is the Wyoming Tribune Eagle’s state government reporter. She can be reached by email at jhall@wyomingnews.com or by phone at 307-633-3167. Follow her on Twitter @jasminerhphotos and on Instagram @jhrose25. | https://www.wyomingnews.com/rawlinstimes/news/republicans-cite-alternatives-to-student-debt-forgiveness/article_0d506762-2baf-11ed-bc67-3b37591363a4.html | 2022-09-04T11:51:06Z | wyomingnews.com | control | https://www.wyomingnews.com/rawlinstimes/news/republicans-cite-alternatives-to-student-debt-forgiveness/article_0d506762-2baf-11ed-bc67-3b37591363a4.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
CHEYENNE — Wyoming is following the lead of federal health officials when it comes to getting newly updated vaccinations against the coronavirus.
On Thursday, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky endorsed a CDC advisory committee recommendations for use of updated COVID-19 boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech for people ages 12 and older, and from Moderna for all adults.
On Friday, Wyoming Department of Health Public Information Officer Kim Deti told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle that public and private partners will work to ensure vaccines are available to residents who want them. Updated COVID-19 boosters add omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components to the current vaccine composition, helping to restore protection that has waned since previous vaccinations.
Also Thursday, Laramie County was rated in the “low” COVID-19 community level category by the CDC. For much of the summer, the county had been at the “medium” or “high” levels. The federal agency didn’t immediately reply to queries seeking further details.
What the lower level means for Cheyenne and the surrounding area is that the CDC isn’t recommending everyone wear a mask in public indoors. However, the agency says, “people with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.”
It appears as if Laramie County was last in the “low,” or green, CDC category back in April, according to a representative for Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. As other medical experts also note, the CRMC rep noted in her email to the Wyoming Tribune Eagle that “these only represent reported cases” of COVID-19 infections, “as home tests are not reported much.”
As the CDC noted in a news release, “the updated COVID-19 boosters are formulated to better protect against the most recently circulating COVID-19 variant,” said Walensky. “They can help restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination and were designed to provide broader protection against newer variants. This recommendation followed a comprehensive scientific evaluation and robust scientific discussion. If you are eligible, there is no bad time to get your COVID-19 booster and I strongly encourage you to receive it.”
In the coming weeks, the CDC also expects to recommend updated COVID-19 boosters for other pediatric groups. The Food and Drug Administration in recent days authorized updated COVID-19 boosters.
Public health nursing offices and local health departments in Wyoming will be receiving more than 15,000 doses in the next few weeks. WDH’s Deti said out of that supply, doses may be shared with other COVID-19 vaccine providers in their respective communities. Pharmacies that are part of the federal retail pharmacy program may also have the updated boosters available in the next two weeks.
Deti expects additional orders can be placed in the next several weeks by vaccine providers. She said interested parties should confirm availability ahead of time with the location they want to visit for their vaccination. Such shots will continue to be free to all residents.
“These are intended to be a single booster dose for people who already completed what’s known as a primary series, such as two primary doses of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine,” she said. “People who have not yet received a primary series would need to have those doses before these updated booster doses, with appropriate timing between.”
WDH doesn’t recommend people waiting until they are at imminent risk of infection, and instead they should get inoculated beforehand to prevent infection and serious illness. People who have already received a booster can get the updated dose if it’s been long enough since their most recent shot in the arm.
As flu season approaches, Deti reminded the public that residents can get flu shots and COVID-19 booster doses at the same time.
“We continue to recommend Wyoming residents stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations,” she said.
This article has been further updated online with information from CRMC about CDC indicators for Laramie County.
Jasmine Hall is the Wyoming Tribune Eagle’s state government reporter. She can be reached by email at jhall@wyomingnews.com or by phone at 307-633-3167. Follow her on Twitter @jasminerhphotos and on Instagram @jhrose25. | https://www.wyomingnews.com/rawlinstimes/news/state-follows-cdc-in-recommending-updated-covid-19-boosters/article_59a8f648-2bae-11ed-ab56-9f859f25dd89.html | 2022-09-04T11:51:12Z | wyomingnews.com | control | https://www.wyomingnews.com/rawlinstimes/news/state-follows-cdc-in-recommending-updated-covid-19-boosters/article_59a8f648-2bae-11ed-ab56-9f859f25dd89.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
WyoSports
CHEYENNE – Bridger Brokaw used what he learned during last fall’s Wyoming Invitational to establish his race strategy for Saturday’s race at Little America Golf Course.
It nearly worked to perfection as the Cheyenne Central junior placed second in a personal-best time of 16 minutes, 18.6 seconds. The Indians also were second as a team with 115 points. Laramie won the meet with 86 points, putting two runners in the top eight.
Brokaw held a late lead, but was nipped near the finish by sophomore Jackson Fagerlin of Resurrection Christian High of Loveland, Colorado. Fagerlin crossed the line in 16:17.1.
“I kind of went out slower and took the lead about 1.2 (miles) in,” Brokaw said. “I wanted to be somewhere near the lead at Mile 2 and try to hold on. He’s a little bit bigger and out-kicked me. I’m still happy because of was a (personal record).”
While Brokaw didn’t have enough left in the tank to out-kick Fagerlin, a change in his strategy put him in contention late.
The Little America course features two steep uphill sections that Brokaw attacked en route to a 14th-place time of 17:32 in 2021. He remained aggressive yet more measured on the hills Saturday.
“I knew hills were going to be tough, and I knew not to hit them too hard,” Brokaw said. “It shouldn’t take everything I have to get up those hills, but I also couldn’t go up them so slow that I was losing time.
“Those hills killed me last year. I knew it was going to be a hilly course but I wasn’t in as good of shape as I needed to be, and I went that them a little too hard. I prepared better this year and was a little more tactical.”
Senior Will Barrington placed 16th for Central (17:05.2) while junior Trevor Schmidt placed 24th (16:23.6).
The Cheyenne East boys were 18th in the 24-team field. Junior Brayden Colbert was the Thunderbirds’ top finisher, capturing 87th in 18:51.8.
Central’s girls also placed second, finishing with 138 points by placing three runners in the top 20. Dakota Ridge High of Littleton, Colorado, won the meet (116). Indians senior Sydney Morrell placed fourth in 19:09.5.
“Even though I felt terrible on this course, I still performed a lot better than I thought I was going to,” Morrell said. “The terrain is really tough. Last week, we were mainly on concrete and on flats. This week, we’re on spikes trying to get up these grassy hills.
“It was a big change. This is true cross-country compared to what we ran last week.”
Central senior Averie Perriton crossed the finish line 18th (20:35.6) and sophomore Rian Cordell-Reiner took 19th (20:44.8).
East was seventh, led by junior Ynes Ronnau’s 31st-place finish (21:18.2). Sophomore Rachel Hedum was South top finisher. She was 132nd in the field of 234 runners.
Jeremiah Johnke is the WyoSports editor. He can be reached at jjohnke@wyosports.net or 307-633-3137. Follow him on Twitter at @jjohnke. | https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyosports/high_school/cheyenne_central/central-harriers-both-second-at-wyoming-invite/article_6a1fbf22-2bd4-11ed-8757-bb3ccab85729.html | 2022-09-04T11:51:16Z | wyomingnews.com | control | https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyosports/high_school/cheyenne_central/central-harriers-both-second-at-wyoming-invite/article_6a1fbf22-2bd4-11ed-8757-bb3ccab85729.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
CHEYENNE – Thunder Basin knocked off Cheyenne South in swimming, Saturday morning, 97-79.
South’sJaneah Brown and Hannah Fisher took home first and second place, respectively,in the 50-yard freestyle. Brown finished in 28.42 seconds, while Fisher needed 29.11.Brown also swam a 1:13.73in the 100-yard fly to finish in second place. Fisher also placed second in the 100 backstroke (1:12.92).
PaulaMusslickwon the 100-yard freestyle with a final time of 1:03.88. She also was second in the 200 individual medley (2:43.78). Keely Henderson was the team’s final first place finisher, winning the 500-yard freestyle with a final time of 6:26.82.
Central wins four duals in Laramie
CHEYENNE – Cheyenne Central picked up four dual victories Saturday in Laramie.
The Lady Indians bet Laramie (107-79), Kelly Walsh (107-73), Jackson (134-51) and Douglas (125-52).
Emily Meares and Izzy DeLay both won one event and placed second in another. Meares won the 100-yard butterfly (1 minutes, 4.51 seconds) and was second in the 50 freestyle (26.62 seconds). DeLay won the 200 individual medley (2:17.53) and touched second in the 100 free (55.38).
Senior Brinkley Lewis won 1-meter diving (235.5 points). Jaesa Whitesell won the 100 breaststroke (1:13.01). DeLay, Meares, Sydney Gough and Andie Prince formed the winning 200 medley relay team (1:57.56).
East take fourth at Green River Invite
CHEYENNE – Junior Sydni Sawyer placed second in one event and fourth in another to help the Cheyenne East girls swimming and diving team place fourth at the Green River Invitational on Saturday.
Sawyer was second in the 200-yard individual medley (2:27.13) and fourth in the 100 breaststroke (1:16.64).
She also joined Macradee Jackson, Shannon Bailey and Nzelle Ayokosok on the third-place 200 medley relay team (2:06.00). They also were third in the 200 freestyle relay (1:54.71).
Bailey finished fourth in the 100 free (1:00.81) and fifth in the 50 free (27.73 seconds). | https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyosports/high_school/cheyenne_south/grls-swimming-thunder-basin-knocks-off-south/article_42dce600-2bbc-11ed-890b-c373df70a204.html | 2022-09-04T11:51:29Z | wyomingnews.com | control | https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyosports/high_school/cheyenne_south/grls-swimming-thunder-basin-knocks-off-south/article_42dce600-2bbc-11ed-890b-c373df70a204.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Laramie junior Dominic Eberle placed fifth at the Wyoming Invitational on Saturday at Little America Golf Course in Cheyenne. Eberle ran the 5-kilometer course in 16 minutes, 33.5 seconds. The Plainsmen won the meet with 86 points, putting two runners in the top 10.
Laramie junior Addison Forry placed 12th at the Wyoming Invitational on Saturday morning at Little America Golf Course in Cheyenne. Forry finished the 5-kilometer race in 20 minutes, 14.7 seconds. The Lady Plainsmen were ninth in the 23-team field.
Laramie senior Meyer Smith, center, placed eighth at the Wyoming Invitational on Saturday at Little America Golf Course in Cheyenne. Smith ran the 5-kilometer course in 16 minutes, 51 seconds. The Plainsmen won the meet with 86 points, putting two runners in the top 10.
Laramie junior Dominic Eberle placed fifth at the Wyoming Invitational on Saturday at Little America Golf Course in Cheyenne. Eberle ran the 5-kilometer course in 16 minutes, 33.5 seconds. The Plainsmen won the meet with 86 points, putting two runners in the top 10.
Jeremiah Johnke/WyoSports
Laramie junior Addison Forry placed 12th at the Wyoming Invitational on Saturday morning at Little America Golf Course in Cheyenne. Forry finished the 5-kilometer race in 20 minutes, 14.7 seconds. The Lady Plainsmen were ninth in the 23-team field.
Laramie senior Meyer Smith, center, placed eighth at the Wyoming Invitational on Saturday at Little America Golf Course in Cheyenne. Smith ran the 5-kilometer course in 16 minutes, 51 seconds. The Plainsmen won the meet with 86 points, putting two runners in the top 10.
LARAMIE — The Laramie High boys proved they are the top long-distance running team in the region at the large Wyoming Invitational.
The high school races Saturday morning on a 5-kilometer course at Little America Golf Course in Cheyenne featured packed fields with 24 boys teams and 23 for the girls from around Wyoming and Colorado.
The LHS boys had a low of 86 points. Cheyenne Central was second at 115 and Niwot was third at 121.
The Plainsmen placed two runners inside the top 10 in a field that had 222 runners. Junior Dominic Eberle was fifth in 16 minutes, 33.5 seconds and senior Meyer Smith was eighth in 16:51.0. Resurrection Christian sophomore Jackson Fagerlin won in 16:17.1.
The three Plainsmen were senior Cooper Kaligis (18th, 17:13.5), sophomore Gideon Moore (26th, 17:26.7) and senior Nathan Martin (29th, 17:31.8).
The Lady Plainsmen were ninth with 263 points. Dakota Ridge won with 116, Central was runner-up at 138 and Natrona County was third with 146.
Junior Addison Forry led the LHS girls when she finished 12th in 20:14.7. Liberty Common junior Isabel Allori won in 17:20.2. There were 234 student-athletes in the girls race.
The next two Lady Plainsmen runners were junior Leah Schabron (26th, 21:01.3) and freshman Libbie Roesler (33rd, 21:19.4).
Up next for the Plainsmen and Lady Plainsmen will be next Saturday at the Chief Nation Invitationals hosted by Wyoming Indian High in Ethete. The races will also serve as an early state preview at the same venue for the culminating state championships on Oct. 22. | https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyosports/high_school/laramie_high/plainsmen-harriers-win-wyoming-invitational/article_ab9fdae0-2bcf-11ed-ae4b-932e5fdb3f2e.html | 2022-09-04T11:51:41Z | wyomingnews.com | control | https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyosports/high_school/laramie_high/plainsmen-harriers-win-wyoming-invitational/article_ab9fdae0-2bcf-11ed-ae4b-932e5fdb3f2e.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
CHEYENNE – Thayline Teixiera scored two goals to help Coffeyville (Kansas) to 3-0 win over No. 16-ranked Laramie County Community College on Saturday.
“We did not play well,” interim LCCC coach Jim Gardner said. “It’s hot and humid and we did not adjust. We went our real sluggish and played that way the whole game. That team was pretty fired up they were playing a ranked team, and we didn’t play like a ranked team.
“We have to play with a lot more intensity (today) like we did last weekend. We may not win, but we’ll stay in it and get something out of it.”
LCCC got just six shots on goal. It faces Barton Community College today in El Dorado, Kansas.
LCCC spikers drop two in McCook
CHEYENNE – The Laramie County Community College volleyball team lost to Barton (Kansas) 14-25, 25-20, 19-25, 17-25 on Saturday morning in McCook, Nebraska. The Golden Eagles later dropped a 19-25, 25-20, 25-21, 15-25, 8-15 loss to Butler (Kansas).
Rigan McInerney posted 11 kills against Barton, while Demi Stauffenberg chipped in with 10 kills and nine digs. Brooke Parker had 30 assists.
Against Butler, Stauffenberg had 30 kills and 13 digs. McInerney added 11 kills and 10 digs. Sadie Christiansen chipped in with 26 digs. McKenzie Earl posted 10 digs and nine kills. | https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyosports/other_sports/lccc/colleges-lccc-soccer-falls-at-coffeyville/article_680ffd0e-2bf8-11ed-acde-3bbcaefe0414.html | 2022-09-04T11:51:47Z | wyomingnews.com | control | https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyosports/other_sports/lccc/colleges-lccc-soccer-falls-at-coffeyville/article_680ffd0e-2bf8-11ed-acde-3bbcaefe0414.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
WyoSports
LARAMIE – University of Wyoming junior quarterback Andrew Peasley completed just 25% of his passes during the Cowboys’ season-opening loss at Illinois, and while his receivers did not give him much help, he still missed quite a few open throws.
Peasley’s performance against Tulsa was a complete 180. He completed eight of his first 10 passes to start the game, including a 48-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter. This let him get into a rhythm. In the fourth quarter, he completed 10 of his 16 passes, including a game-tying 51-yard touchdown pass.
“Our offense is based on our run game, and our quick (passing) game was decent today,” said Peasley, who finished with 256 passing yards and two touchdowns. Getting completions was big thing for me this week. Just getting the ball into receivers hands and letting them go to work will open things up.”
Peasley also rushed for a team-high 45 yards on 10 carries.
D-line makes a statement
After giving up 261 yards on the ground to Illinois, the Pokes defensive front came into Saturday’s game feeling like it had something to prove.
The defense held Tulsa’s rushing attack to just 61-yards and sacked quarterback Davis Brin four times. One of which was a strip sack that opened the scoring on the second play of the game.
“We got embarrassed in the run game last week,” sophomore middle linebacker Easton Gibbs said. “We wanted to go out there and make a statement that (last week) was not going to be a common theme all year. We came out and knew we had to be more physical.”
Special teams helps
Special teams came up with 19 of the 40 Cowboys points. The big-time play everyone will point to is the blocked kick by Ryan Marquez in the third quarter that was returned for a touchdown, but another play sticks out in coach Craig Bohl’s mind.
Just after Tulsa took a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, Bohl had a decision to make. On fourth down, inside the Tulsa 40-yard line, he could either punt the ball away or kick a 55-yard field goal. Bohl elected to attempt the 55-yarder, and kicker John Hoyland nailed it.
“(That kick) spread a lot of electricity along the sideline,” Bohl said. “Now we are within one possession, and then things just began to go.”
No quit in WY
The offense had trouble moving the ball the entire second half. At the start of the fourth quarter, Tulsa scored to go up by 10. With 1:45 remaining in the game, running back Titus Swen fumbled to give Tulsa the ball back. After the defense forced a fumble, Hoyland missed a chip-shot field goal that would have effectively ended the game.
All of these things could have spelled certain doom for a team, but the Cowboys never gave up. They battled until the end and were rewarded for their efforts. It takes a lot for a team to not get down when things like that happen, but Wyoming’s mental fortitude was on display throughout the game.
“Its definitely huge (being able to overcome adversity),” defensive tackle Jordan Bertagnole said. “The biggest emphasis that we talked about on the sideline getting ready to go in on these last drives and overtime was just that we had to believe and know that we were going to win this game.”
While a win is a win at the end of the day, it was far from perfect. The Cowboys struggled up until the final quarter of the game, and really had a hard time getting out of their own way.
Passing defense
While the Pokes’ run defense was excellent, their passing defense was downright abysmal. They allowed 460 yards through the air, including multiple completions of over 40 yards. While mostly holding Tulsa’s passing attack at bay in the first quarter, things quickly fell apart completion. They gave up 202 yards passing in the second quarter, including three straight third-down completions that led to a touchdown.
In the third quarter, Tulsa converted on four consecutive third-down attempts, ending with a 41-yard touchdown reception by JuanCarlos Santana.
Third-down defense
Third-down defense also left a lot to be desired. The Pokes allowed Tulsa to convert on 50% of third downs (9 for 18) in the contest. This included six straight third-down completions in the third quarter before the defense was able to get off the field.
Despite the deficiencies, the team overcame them to walk out of War Memorial Stadium with a win. The mark of a good team is being able to win when all hope looks lost. | https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyosports/university_of_wyoming/peasley-rebounds-in-cowboys-win-over-tulsa/article_e31c8d60-2bed-11ed-9d16-e7d62b1a0d9b.html | 2022-09-04T11:51:53Z | wyomingnews.com | control | https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyosports/university_of_wyoming/peasley-rebounds-in-cowboys-win-over-tulsa/article_e31c8d60-2bed-11ed-9d16-e7d62b1a0d9b.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – Northampton Fire Rescue quickly put out multiple vehicle fires during the sold-out Demo Derby at the Three County Fair Saturday.
Courtesy of Northampton Fire Rescue.
Courtesy of Northampton Fire Rescue.
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – Northampton Fire Rescue quickly put out multiple vehicle fires during the sold-out Demo Derby at the Three County Fair Saturday.
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Subscribe Now | https://www.wwlp.com/news/digital-first/three-county-fair-dermo-derby-fires-put-out-saturday-by-northampton-fire-crew/ | 2022-09-04T12:02:34Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/news/digital-first/three-county-fair-dermo-derby-fires-put-out-saturday-by-northampton-fire-crew/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Mumbai: Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who won gold medal in Commonwealth Games 2022, spoke about her inspirations in life with the host and megastar Amitabh Bachchan on 'Kaun Banega Crorepati 14'. She also shared how her coach in Manipur gave her the strength to pursue her dreams.
She recalls her days of picking up bamboo in forests before her coach saw her saw desire to train and gave her first weights to practice with.
"I used to yearn to go train in the city but there was no one I could depend upon to support me," Mirabai recalled. "One day, my coach in Manipur gave me weights of 35 kilos to practice with and I was really happy. I thought maybe my coach saw my desire to get trained and was instrumental in fulfilling my dreams."
"Eventually, I started training with all my heart and never though that due to lack of proper equipment to train, I cannot pursue my dreams! I did not lose hope and worked hard."
Adding more to the conversation Mirabai's companion in the show, her coach Vijay Sharma shared what he made him to train her.
"There are two things that set Mira apart from other players. One is discipline and the other is dedication. Mira and I went to the 2016 Rio Olympics with hopes of winning the medal and our performance was also quite nice but we were disappointed," Sharma said.
He elaborated: "Mira felt demotivated and thought of quitting, but after 10 to 15 days, when Mira's mother, I and the Federation all tried our best to support her and encourage her, she then said that she will work harder. After one year, in 2017 she became the world champion."
Mirabai also gives credit to a truck driver named Gopang for motivating her in her career. She recalled Gopang would help her reach her training centre on time.
"The distance between my house in the village and the training centre was 24 kms. When I stepped into the field of sports, I had to go early because there would be an assembly at 5 am. No taxis would ply the route that early in the morning except for trucks, which would start playing on the route from early morning between 3 am and 4 am," the 28-year-old said.
Later, she recalls how she convinced her mother to allow her to travel in a truck.
"I told my mother I would travel on the truck but it was difficult to convince my mother. Yet, I was determined to train and so one day I finally asked a truck driver if he could pick me up and drop me off at the training centre every morning. He was so happy and agreed to do it and told me 'please train properly'. Every day he used to pick me up and drop me off and there was not a single day when I missed my training," Mirabai added.
Expressing her gratitude to the truck driver, she said: "Today I am standing in front of Amitabh sir, wearing my medal and I would like to give credit to that truck driver. How many medals I bring home, I can never forget him.”
The special episode on Monday will see world champion boxer Nikhat Zareen and Mirabai appearing on the show and sharing stories of their victory at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
('Kaun Banega Crorepati 14' airs on Sony Entertainment Television) | https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/other-sports/2022/09/04/mirabai-chanu-shares-her-amazing-journey-with-amitabh-bachchan.amp.html | 2022-09-04T12:06:46Z | onmanorama.com | control | https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/other-sports/2022/09/04/mirabai-chanu-shares-her-amazing-journey-with-amitabh-bachchan.amp.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
A survivor’s story: Healing after a suicide loss
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Amanda Souva is a suicide survivor. The 27-year-old lost her fiancé, Mike Branchaeu, to suicide.
On July 12, 2021, after returning from work, Amanda found Mike in the garage at their Maybee home. He had used a handgun. Inside their home was a letter. Beside it was Amanda’s wedding band.
Mike’s message confirmed his love for Amanda before admitting he had been sad and depressed. He had made some financial arrangements and asked that she take care of Bella, their Red Fox Labrador, before promising he would always be with her.
The couple had met more than six years ago through Amanda’s cousin, Jordan. In grade school, Mike and Jordan were best friends and Mike always participated in the demolition derbies at the Monroe County Fair.
“I always thought that was super cute. We started dating May 22, 2016, and we were together a little over five years and engaged three months,” Amanda said. “On the morning of July 12, it was just any ordinary morning. I was getting ready for work and Mike had warmed up some breakfast for me. He was on the midnight shift. He worked at Fermi as a nuclear operator.”
When Amanda arrived at work, she called Mike to let him know she had arrived safely. She called again at lunchtime. She said things seemed fine.
“When I got home, I noticed his truck was in the driveway,” she said. “At first, I was excited because I was going to see him but then I started to worry because I knew he shouldn’t be at home, and I didn’t want him to be late for his job.”
Amanda then noticed the service door to the garage was open. She went to the door and called out for Mike. She could hear the radio. She didn’t see Mike at first and turned to leave but something told her to look inside.
When she opened the door a little wider, she then saw his feet. She ran to see if he had fallen and was injured.
“I thought something may have happened, like maybe he had a heart attack,” she said.
Seeing him lying on the floor with the gun next to his hand, she knew immediately he was gone.
“When I saw him, I thought maybe someone had done this,” she said. “I was scared, and I remember thinking Mike would never do this. There were no warning signs.”
They had just attended a couple of birthday parties, spent time with friends, and had gone to dinner.
When the police unlocked Mike’s phone, there was a picture of Mike, Amanda, and Bella from a camping trip.
It was through some grief counseling sessions at Gabby’s Grief Center in Monroe that Amanda was told it was comfort for Mike.
“That’s what he was looking at when it happened,” she said.
“Mike was never one to show any emotion. He never had anything that bothered him,” she said. “I would have never thought Mike was depressed.”
Like many suicide survivors, Amanda wonders if she missed the warning signs.
Keeping Mike’s memory alive by doing some of the things he loved to do is part of Amanda’s grieving process. She recently participated in the demolition derby at the Monroe County Fair and drove her car for suicide prevention awareness.
“I had the ribbons and the teal and purple colors for suicide prevention,” she said. “I know it would have made Mike super proud and I wanted to do it.”
Amanda knows there are stigmas often associated with suicide, but part of her healing process is to share her story and to let others know there is no one at fault when a loved one commits suicide.
Kaye Lani Rafko Wilson, executive director of Gabby’s Grief Center, is moved by Amanda’s strength and courage to share her story.
“Amanda is a dynamic young woman,” said Wilson. “While on her own journey of grief, being able to look beyond her personal grief and taking the steps to help others and raise awareness of a sensitive topic shows tremendous courage.”
Wilson has invited Amanda to take part in a Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Vigil and Gathering scheduled for World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10.
The event will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Park Pavilion, located at the corner of W. Elm Ave. and Monroe St.
Prior to the candle lighting and butterfly release, Amanda will lead share time at the vigil. She will tell her story and invite others to share theirs as part of the healing process.
The public is welcome. Attendees can bring a photo or mementos of a loved one. | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/2022/09/04/a-suicide-survivor-shares-her-story-of-healing-after-suicide-loss/65465247007/ | 2022-09-04T12:14:51Z | monroenews.com | control | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/2022/09/04/a-suicide-survivor-shares-her-story-of-healing-after-suicide-loss/65465247007/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Monroe County history: Diekman's Bottling in Monroe was a top producer
The Pageant of Historic Monroe highlights many of the individuals which comprised the event’s committees and supporters. One page lists many Monroe businesses that lent either direct or indirect support to the event. One of those businesses that had success in Monroe from a variety of fronts was the Diekman Bottling Works.
Founded on March 17, 1917 by a group of investors including Caspar H. Diekman, William Gutmann, Jacob Martin, Frank Schrauder and August Weier, the Diekman Bottling Works was originally located in the back of a bowling alley and pool hall at 12 South Monroe Street in Monroe and was said to be the forerunner of the Dansbuy and Augusta billiard halls. Gutmann, who had also served as cashier for the First National Bank of Monroe, was president of the company, and Caspar Diekman was treasurer.
In Caspar Diekman’s obituary, published Friday, April 26, 1946, it was noted that the Diekman Bottling Works’ bottling business soon needed larger quarters and on May 1, 1919, the company moved to the two-story brick building at 419-425 East Front Street. Several expansions took place during subsequent years – including construction of a brick fascia-faced office building that was constructed in 1938 at the 425 East Front Street address and survives today.
The Diekman Bottling Works was known as one of the leading bottlers in the industry relative to production and distribution processes. In the 1922 edition of the Brewers Journal, the Diekman firm was said to have installed a Miller Hydro Soaker, manufactured by the Miller Manufacturing Company of Bainbridge, Georgia. At the time, it was one of the leading bottling cleaning systems in the United States. During much of the 20th century, bottlers like the Diekman Bottling Works operated bottle deposit systems to reclaim used bottles and reuse them after the bottle cleaning process had been completed. The U.S. bottle deposit system operated successfully well into the early 1980's.
In 1932, Caspar Diekman became President and General Manager of the Diekman Bottling Works and moved to change the firm’s name to the Monroe Coca-Cola Bottling Company (as they began distributing both Coca-Cola and the Detroit-based Stroh’s Beer brands). Joining Caspar Diekman were his son, Charles Diekman, and Chester J. Clark as vice presidents and John A. Kirschner as secretary-treasurer. It was noted that Mr. Kirschner had worked for the company since 1918.
In addition to Caspar Diekman’s business activities in Monroe, he was also involved in numerous cultural activities, including what was originally known as the Vetter’s Brass Band (founded by John M. Vetter who came to Monroe in 1854 and ran a tannery near what was the Waterloo Mill). A men’s choir – the Maennerchoir – was an offshoot of this group.
Caspar Diekman became featured in the group – now known as the Monroe Cornet Band – in 1919. Reorganized by August H. Boehme in 1874, the Monroe Cornet Band was one of the leading performance bands in Monroe. After Caspar Diekman led the band for five years, the Monroe Cornet Band, once again, reorganized and became the Monroe Exchange Club Band.
Following the 1938 rebranding of the Diekman Bottling Works to the Monroe Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Caspar Diekman and his second wife, Gertrude Clark (who was originally from Luka, Mississippi) split their time between Monroe (where they resided at the Park Hotel), Florida, and a cottage at Perry Lake (in Oscoda County, the least populous county in lower Michigan and located in the northeast segment of Michigan’s “mit”). It was at the Perry Lake cottage that Caspar Diekman died on April 25, 1946. His first wife, Leona Fix of Monroe, died in 1926.
Tom Adamich is President – Visiting Librarian Service, a firm he has operated since 1993. He also is Project Archivist for the Greening Nursery Company and Family Archives. | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/history/2022/09/04/monroe-county-history-diekmans-bottling-in-monroe-was-a-top-producer/65466609007/ | 2022-09-04T12:14:57Z | monroenews.com | control | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/history/2022/09/04/monroe-county-history-diekmans-bottling-in-monroe-was-a-top-producer/65466609007/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Labor Day has evolved from uncertain origins
This weekend, millions of Americans will hit the road, fire up the grill and swarm to the beaches for the Labor Day weekend. The holiday has evolved dramatically from its origins, which are debated today.
What is clear, though, is the designation of Labor Day as a federal holiday in 1894 arose from a tenuous labor dispute in Illinois. The Pullman strike, remembered today as a landmark in American labor history, caused such ill feelings between workers and the government that President Grover Cleveland, as a conciliatory measure, signed an order establishing Labor Day as a federal holiday on the first Monday of September.
However, Labor Day was nothing new in America. Some believe that its roots are actually Canadian, in an 1872 parade in Toronto to support a strike against a 58-hour work week. A decade later, a proposal was presented at a Central Labor Union meeting in New York in May 1882 for a “monster labor festival” in early September.
The result was the first Labor Day parade, held near city hall and along Broadway in New York on Sept. 5, 1882. Police, concerned that confrontations may occur, surrounded city hall on horseback and on foot, many of them carrying clubs.
An hour later, only a handful of marchers had shown up, and there was no musical accompaniment. Just in time, 200 members from the Jewelers Union of Newark arrived with a band, and the procession began.
Spectators joined the parade, and finally, some ten to twenty thousand marched through lower Manhattan. At the end, some workers went back to their jobs, but many spent the rest of the day at a party which included speeches, cigars, and “lager beer kegs…mounted in every conceivable place.”
Who suggested the first Labor Day is of considerable debate. Many accounts credit Peter McGuire, the general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor.
McGuire reportedly proposed an annual celebration at a CLU meeting on May 12, 1882 to remember those “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.” He suggested a street parade to “publicly show the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations.” McGuire is said to have witnessed the 1872 commemoration in Toronto, and wanted something similar in the United States.
McGuire’s role, though, has been challenged in recent years by the emergence of the story of Matthew Maguire, a machinist and member of the Knights of Labor, whom some believe first proposed that the CLU organize a celebration of labor.
Adding credence was a recollection by the grand marshal of the 1882 New York parade, who corroborated Maguire’s role. In a 2011 interview, former Department of Labor historian Linda Stinson expressed confidence in the Maguire story.
Peter McGuire’s role may have also been embellished by Samuel Gompers, a close friend and American Federation of Labor powerhouse, who apparently disliked Matthew Maguire’s radical political views that reflected poorly on the AF of L. Maguire ran for Vice President on the National Socialist Labor Party in 1896.
Some states began to observe Labor Day on their own, starting with Oregon in 1887. Colorado, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey followed suit.
Continued labor strife, though, forced the federal government’s hand at designating a national holiday. The Pullman Palace Car strike of May 1894, ignited by layoffs and wage cuts amid unchanging rents in the company town of Pullman, Ill. induced the American Railway Union, under the direction of Eugene Debs, to call for national boycotts of Pullman trains. Rioting, burning of cars, and other violence spread nationwide, and rail traffic was brought to a standstill in many areas.
Throughout the strike, President Grover Cleveland, worried about the political backlash in what was a midterm election year. Democrats, fearing a loss of Congress, and the president proposed a solution – to create a national holiday to honor the American worker, which was already being celebrated in thirty states.
Sen. James Henderson Kyle, a Populist from South Dakota, introduced legislation to designate the first Monday in September as a national holiday. The bill was rushed through Congress, and Cleveland quickly signed the proposal into law on June 28, 1894.
The September date was chosen so there would be no conflict with the International Workers Day celebration of May 1, which harkened back to the Haymarket Riot in Chicago in May 1886 and was viewed by many Americans as socialistic or anarchistic.
Six days after signing the bill, Cleveland, ostensibly concerned about interruption of U.S. Mail service, sent in 12,000 federal troops as strikebreakers.
Reports vary, but at least two men were killed by deputy marshals in Kensington, a Chicago suburb. On August 3, the strike was declared over, and Debs was later sentenced to prison as the Pullman employees agreed not to unionize again. The Democrats lost both houses of Congress in 1894, and Cleveland was dropped from the ticket in the 1896 election.
Over the decades, Labor Day evolved into a three-day weekend and a shopping and recreational holiday that marks the end of the summer season. Few celebrate Labor Day as a remembrance of working Americans.
Today, union presence in the United States continues to diminish. According to Forbes magazine, less than 12 percent of the American workforce belongs to a union, down from a high of 33.2 percent in 1955.
Tom Emery is a freelance writer and researcher from Carlinville, Ill. He may be reached at 217-710-8392 or ilcivilwar@yahoo.com. | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/local/2022/09/04/labor-day-has-evolved-from-uncertain-origins/65466524007/ | 2022-09-04T12:15:03Z | monroenews.com | control | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/local/2022/09/04/labor-day-has-evolved-from-uncertain-origins/65466524007/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Monroe's Judge Brown named chief judge
The Michigan Supreme Court has appointed The Honorary Michael C. Brown as Chief Judge of the First District Court effective immediately.
Brown has served as a District Court Judge since 2018. Judge Jack Vitale recently resigned as Chief Judge of the First District Court. Vitale will continue to serve as a District Court Judge until his retirement at the end of this year when his term expires.
"I'm resigning the chief judge position to facilitate a smooth transition in leadership," Vitale said.
The chief judge is the presiding offer of the court. He is responsible for caseload management, disposition of judicial workloads, supervision of all court personnel, management of finances and other critical functions.
"It's an honor to be chosen by the Michigan Supreme Court for this position," Brown said. "Our court did an excellent job navigating through the challenges of operating during the COVID pandemic. I look forward to continuing the court's progress in implementing new technologies, increasing efficiency and making the court system more accessible for the public."
Brown previously served as the Chief Judge Pro Tern of the court from 2019 to 2022, and is the Presiding Judge of the Monroe County Veterans Treatment Court. He serves on the Michigan Supreme Court's Committee on Model Criminal Jury Instructions, the State Bar Association's Criminal Jurisprudence & Practice Committee and the American Judges Association's Domestic Violence Committee.
He is active in the community and is a member of Kiwanis, VFW Auxiliary - Post 1138, Ducks Unlimited, Friends of Potter Cemetery, Monroe County Bar Association and Michigan District Judges Association. | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/local/2022/09/04/monroes-judge-brown-named-chief-judge/65467866007/ | 2022-09-04T12:15:09Z | monroenews.com | control | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/local/2022/09/04/monroes-judge-brown-named-chief-judge/65467866007/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Old Frenchtown K-Mart to soon be storage facility
The former Kmart in Frenchtown Charter Township will soon become a climate-controlled storage facility.
New England-based self-storage developer True Storage has begun preliminary work to convert the sprawling remains of the former retailer into a self-storage facility that they hope to open by March 1.
"We're excited about the project, to put a new face on the building," said True Storage Head of Acquisitions and Due Diligence, Josh Sullivan. "We're a national self-storage developer based out of New England, but we do service the greater eastern portion of the United States, basically east of the Mississippi River is our cutoff. We specialize in conversions of former big box retail and industrial property. This one is a K-Mart, we've done a lot of Sears, Toys R Us, Circuit City, the larger retailers across the country who, due to changes in multiple landscapes, have gone defunct..."
Frenchtown's K-Mart closed in 2017. In March 2021, the Frenchtown Board of Trustees approved a rezoning of the property located at 1290 N. Monroe St. to commercial, which allowed a company like True Storage to consider it for their uses.
"We've found ourselves a pretty good niche," Sullivan said. "We're able to come in there and basically revamp, taking the existing structure and demolishing the interior to convert it into climate-controlled self-storage, as well as enhancing the facade..."
Sullivan said that True Storage's facilities are typically used mostly by local residents, and that the company's market data showed them there was a substantial need for this type of service in Frenchtown.
But storage may not be the only new business coming soon to this property. Sullivan said that True Storage is looking to sell most of the old K-Mart parking lot to some other type of business.
"Our parking needs, as you can imagine, aren't as large as the previous use as a retail (business)," Sullivan said. "We're selling some of that parking lot as retail space, and we're hoping to get a retail user on that parking lot, whether that be a quick-service (restaurant), a bank, or something of that nature, we'd love to have (something else) on the site so we are marketing that parking lot for retail use.
"We're excited to be a local service for Frenchtown residents, and to turn the property around."
For more information about True Storage, visit, truestorage.com. | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/local/2022/09/04/old-frenchtown-k-mart-to-soon-be-storage-facility/65468363007/ | 2022-09-04T12:15:15Z | monroenews.com | control | https://www.monroenews.com/story/news/local/2022/09/04/old-frenchtown-k-mart-to-soon-be-storage-facility/65468363007/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Fall campaign time again
The fall is always nationwide campaign time for the United Way.
Each local United Way office seeks funding to help local agencies meet the human service needs of the community. We also seek to share our mission, vision, and priorities. Our mission is to improve lives. The vision of the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties is that the opportunities for a good life will be available to all. To that end, we fund programs that provide opportunities for people to live emotionally and physically HEALTHY LIVES; programs that support and stabilize people in times of FINANCIAL crisis; and programs that help people achieve their potential by overcoming barriers to a quality EDUCATION, job training, and career opportunities.
This year our campaign slogan is “Join Us in a New Way to LIVE UNITED.”
We currently fund 25 local agency programs in Monroe. See our website (www.unitedwayMLC.org) for a list of those agencies. Additional direct programs and services provided by our local United Way include the 2-1-1 Health and Human Services Hotline, Project Ramp, Health Check, and the 21-Week Racial Equity Challenge. Health Checks have resumed this year after a 2-year hiatus due to lab testing priorities during COVID-19. Our fall Health Check events are scheduled in Monroe on October 6 at Heritage Baptist Church and in Carleton on November 3 at Carleton United Methodist Church. We are also the FEMA funding conduit for their Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). In the past two years, $488,717 in EFSP funds have been distributed to Monroe County food and shelter agencies via the United Way.
Traditionally, the United Way has primarily been an employee payroll deduction program, mostly because it is an easy and seamless way to donate. Electing a pre-tax payroll deduction is a great option for a pre-tax deduction that is hardly noticeable (I think!). You can check with your employer on payroll deduction, but we gladly accept individual donations as well. The cost of one soft drink or cup of coffee a week makes a significant difference to someone seeking food or shelter! For $5 you can provide two-to-three homeless meals! We have found the greatest number of donors were one-to-four times a year at $25-100 per gift. These solid donors are what keep us going!
We pledge to help advocate for opportunities that a good life is available for all. Please “Join Us in a New Way to LIVE UNITED”! Look for new, fun ways to support us via our hashtag contest #newwaytoliveunited on all our social media platforms this fall! We appreciate your support to help fight poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, mental health and substance use disorders, domestic violence, and other important community needs!
For more information about the JOINING US IN NEW WAYS TO LIVE UNITED. Please contact us! Call us at 734-242-1331, mail a contribution or visit us at 216 N. Monroe St., Monroe, MI 48162 OR visit our website at www.unitedwaymlc.org. Visit our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok social media platforms, too!
Laura Schultz Pipis is the Executive Director of the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties. | https://www.monroenews.com/story/opinion/columns/2022/09/04/fall-campaign-time-again/65467305007/ | 2022-09-04T12:15:21Z | monroenews.com | control | https://www.monroenews.com/story/opinion/columns/2022/09/04/fall-campaign-time-again/65467305007/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Economic pros and cons of student loan forgiveness
In the old days when economics was first invented, economists were positivistic (focused on facts or what is), not normative (what should be or what is good or bad). So, folks, just the facts as I review the pros and cons of student loan forgiveness.
Believe it or not, I attended college and actually finished. While in college, I worked full time, took no student loans, and paid my way all the way through. In graduate school, I had partial assistantships and delivered pizzas, worked fast food and washed dishes. I celebrate the fact that I was fortunate to have no student loans when I graduated in the late 1980s with my doctorate. Boy, am I glad. Today, student loan debt is over $1.7 trillion, and I have no part in that. The newly announced loan forgiveness program forgives debt for up to $20,000 for those who qualify for Pell Grants, $10,000 for those who do not qualify for Pell and make less than $125,000 (individuals) and $250,000 (couples).
Here are some salient statistics on college loans from various sources such as nitrocollege.com, educationdata.org, and Community College Review:
- Current U.S. student loan debt is $1.75 trillion.
- 1-in-4 Americans have student loan debt (44.7 million people).
- The average student loan debt is currently $37,693.
- The average student borrows over $30,000 to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
- 20 years after entering school, half of student borrowers still owe $20,000 each on outstanding loan balances.
- The average public community college debt for graduating students is approximately $11,261.
- The average amount Monroe County Community College students borrow per year is $5,485.
Now to the gist of this article.
The pros:
• For those who have debt, loan forgiveness is a good thing, which allows them to utilize those funds elsewhere. According to a study by the Roosevelt Institute, “The positive effects of an evidence-based student debt cancellation policy for individuals and households extend far beyond the immediate need of removing burdensome debt. The ramifications for financial and personal well-being, credit, job stability and satisfaction, homeownership earlier in the life course, capacity to build wealth for emergencies, human capital investments, family stability, and accumulating wealth can multiply throughout a person’s life.”
• It will help boost the economy, benefiting many.
• It will help rectify racial inequity, especially for Black students. According to research from Columbia University, Black students have twice as much debt as white students and have a default rate of 21% compared to 4% for white students. The debt prevents wealth building.
• It allows some relief, since bankruptcy from student debt is not allowed, as it is for most other debts.
The cons:
• It may be considered unfair to those who have no loans or have paid off their loans. Those who took the loans made a personal choice and must pay for it.
• Most of the benefits may accrue to those on the high end of the scale who are better able to pay, as they hold the most debt and benefit more.
• There are already other loan forgiveness programs, so this may be a temporary solution for the larger problem of over-inflated college costs.
• It may be an incentive for people to borrow more in the future, expecting to be forgiven. Some may take larger loans with no intention of repaying.
• It could worsen inflation as more money is put into the economy.
• It creates a burden for taxpayers, who will eventually have to pay this money back.
So, while we are unsure exactly how this new debt forgiveness plan will wash out, it is important for us to understand the economic ramifications.
Unfortunately, while all colleges are lumped together for these statistics, as we can see for community colleges such as MCCC, student loan debt is significantly less. This is why it makes so much sense to start at your local community college and incur little or no debt. Besides, now, if you are 25 or older you may be eligible for free tuition through the Michigan Reconnect program. Just the facts.
Kojo Quartey is president of Monroe County Community College and an economist. He may be reached at kquartey@monroeccc.edu. | https://www.monroenews.com/story/opinion/columns/2022/09/04/kojo-quartey-economic-pros-cons-student-loan-forgiveness/65464789007/ | 2022-09-04T12:15:27Z | monroenews.com | control | https://www.monroenews.com/story/opinion/columns/2022/09/04/kojo-quartey-economic-pros-cons-student-loan-forgiveness/65464789007/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
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